Things Happen at Night
| Things Happen at Night | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Francis Searle |
| Written by | St. John Legh Clowes |
| Based on | The Poltergeist by Frank Harvey |
| Produced by | James A. Carter St. John Legh Clowes |
| Starring | Gordon Harker Alfred Drayton Robertson Hare Garry Marsh |
| Cinematography | Leslie Rowson |
| Edited by | David Hawkins |
| Music by | George Melachrino |
Production company | Tudor-Alliance |
| Distributed by | Renown Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 79 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £78,000[1] |
Things Happen at Night is a 1947 British supernatural comedy film directed by Francis Searle and starring Gordon Harker, Alfred Drayton, Robertson Hare and Garry Marsh.[2][3] It was written by St. John Legh Clowes based on the 1946 stage play The Poltergeist by Frank Harvey. Despite the film's comparatively large budget it ended up being released as a second feature.[4]
In an English country house a poltergeist causes mayhem and ghost-hunters are brought in.
Plot summary
An English country house is plagued by a poltergeist who destroys things in the home, rearranges pictures on the wall, and possesses the daughter of the owner causing her to be expelled from school. A psychic ghost breaker and an insurance agent help the homeowners battle and expel the spirit.
Cast
- Gordon Harker as Joe Harris
- Alfred Drayton as Wilfred Prescott
- Robertson Hare as Vincent Ebury
- Gwynneth Vaughan as Audrey Prescott
- Olga Lindo as Hilda Prescott
- Garry Marsh as Spenser
- Wylie Watson as Watson, the butler
- Joan Young as Mrs. Venning, the cook
- Beatrice Campbell as Joyce Prescott
- Grace Denbigh Russell as Miss Hancock
- Judith Warden as Mrs. Fortescue
- June Elvin as Mabel Minter
- Knox Crichton as Nobby Ebury
- Eric Micklewood as Robert Ebury
- Charles Doe as Bill
- Michael Callin as Mac
- George Bryden as Freddie Simpson
- Marilyn Williams as singer
- Peter Reynolds
- Patricia Owens
Production
It was shot at Twickenham Studios.
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This film may possibly achieve some measure of success due entirely to the well-established reputations of its three stars. Although the story has definite possibilities its treatment renders it lamentably un-funny. The pace is too slow, the gags feeble and obvious, whilst the whole production suggests a not very expertly photographed play taking place on the stage, rather than something devised and produced solely for the medium of the screen. Joan Young, as a housekeeper, and Gwyneth Vaughan, as Audrey, act everyone else 'off the stage'."[5]
Kine Weekly wrote: "The first reels are on the slow side, but immediately the co-comedians set to work to lay the ghost, or rather give it a dose of its own medicine, things buck up tremendously."[6]
References
- ^ Chibnall & McFarlane p.39
- ^ "Things Happen at Night". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ^ "BFI | Film & TV Database | Things Happen at Night (1948)". ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 39. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "Things Happen at Night". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 15 (169): 172. 1 January 1948. ProQuest 1305814903.
- ^ "Things Happen at Night". Kine Weekly. 381 (2167): 29. 11 November 1948. ProQuest 2687780296.