Things Happen at Night

1948 British film
  • 3 November 1948 (1948-11-03) (full release)
Running time
79 minutesCountryUnited KingdomLanguageEnglishBudget£78,000[1]

Things Happen at Night is a 1947 British supernatural ghost comedy film directed by Francis Searle and starring Gordon Harker, Alfred Drayton, Robertson Hare and Garry Marsh.[2] The film is based upon a stage play, The Poltergeist, by Frank Harvey. It was shot at Twickenham Studios. Despite the film's comparatively large budget it ended up being released as a second feature.[3]

The film is set in an English country house which is haunted by a poltergeist. Besides damaging the house's contents, the poltergeist possesses a schoolgirl and causes her expulsion from school. The homeowners receive help from a ghost breaker.

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

References

  1. ^ Chibnall & McFarlane p.39
  2. ^ BFI.org
  3. ^ Chibnall & McFarlane p.39

Bibliography

  • Chibnall, Steve & McFarlane, Brian. The British 'B' Film. Palgrave MacMillan, 2009.
  • Things Happen at Night at IMDb
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Films directed by Francis Searle
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