Midnight Warning

Watch Midnight Warning

  • Passed
  • 1932
  • 1 hr 3 min
  • 5.0  (177)

Midnight Warning is a pre-code thriller from 1932 directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet. The film boasts a strong cast with William 'Stage' Boyd playing the lead role of Jim Curtis, a former detective turned private investigator. Claudia Dell stars as the damsel in distress, Doris Hillman, with Huntley Gordon as the film's villain, Bradford.

The film begins with Jim Curtis, who has recently been fired from the police force, taking on a case that leads him to a strange and eerie mansion in the midst of a thunderstorm. The mansion belongs to Mrs. Hillman, whose husband has been missing for ten years. She believes her husband is still alive and has been sending her threatening letters instructing her to pay him a large sum of money.

As the night progresses, strange occurrences begin to happen. Guests and staff start disappearing, and the tension between the characters fast escalates. Jim Curtis is joined by his partner, Spike Holland, and together they try to uncover the mystery behind what's going on at the mansion.

The film sets up an atmosphere of paranoia and claustrophobia, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The constant thunderstorms and flickering lights give the film an ominous quality that heightens the suspense.

The character of Jim Curtis is portrayed as a hard-boiled detective, with William 'Stage' Boyd perfectly fitting the role. Boyd's performance is both reserved and intense, adding to the tension in the film. His partner, Spike Holland, played by Bryant Washburn, is a goofier character, providing a much-needed moment of levity in the otherwise tense film.

Claudia Dell's character, Doris Hillman, is the classic damsel in distress, but with a twist. Doris is shown as a strong and independent woman, willing to fight for what she believes in. Huntley Gordon is deliciously despicable as the film's villain, Bradford. Gordon's performance is both slimy and menacing, making him a perfect fit for the role.

The film's well-crafted screenplay, written by George Waggner, keeps the audience guessing as to who the villain is and what their motives are. The film's twists and turns are genuine and unexpected, making it a classic example of the pre-code thriller genre.

Midnight Warning also features some impressive camerawork, with the cinematographer, Harry Neumann, making good use of the mansion's haughty atmosphere. The use of shadows and light adds to the Gothic ambiance of the film.

Overall, Midnight Warning is a must-see pre-code thriller with great performances, a suspenseful story, and haunting visuals. It's a film that has aged well, with its appeal as strong today as it was when it was first released.

Midnight Warning
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Description
  • Release Date
    1932
  • MPAA Rating
    Passed
  • Runtime
    1 hr 3 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.0  (177)