Shriek In The Night

Starring: Ginger Rogers & Lyle Talbot Director: Albert Ray

The police are baffled by a series of "accidental" deaths that may actually be murders.

It was nice to see Ginger Rogers as a snappy reporter in "A Shriek in the Night". The film is obviously a low-budget production and the many jewels in Ginger's crown were to come later, but this little film isn't bad. Lyle Talbot was okay as Ginger's rival reporter and Purnell Pratt did a good job as the Police Inspector. Louise Beavers (billed in the credits as "Louise Beaver") adds some campiness as the frightened maid. However, Lillian Harmer is absolutely excruciating as Augusta, the Housekeeper. It's a wonder that she wasn't on the maniac's hit list! You'll never get Talbot's explanation to Rogers at the films ending until you've rewound the disc a couple of times and listen to it over again. Overall, I enjoyed this film, but I enjoyed the other Rogers/Talbot film "The Thirteenth Guest" better.

It was a delightful surprise to find Louise Beavers in this movie, even though, as usual, she was cast as a maid - but one with bite and humor. This was an interesting little story - the clothes and cars were great, and instead of low-budget never-heard-of-'em actors we see people we know.

. . . but it's the romantic bantering of Ginger Rogers and Lyle Talbot that make this picture. Although well-directed, I found it a little unsatisfying as a mystery; the wrap-up contained too many details not even hinted at earlier in the film. Lyle Talbot had so much explaining to do, I had to watch the ending three times to take it all in!

The film is hampered by many of the usual problems faced in Poverty Row productions -- harsh lighting, boxy sound, some unflattering camera set-ups, and ineffective acting by a few in the cast. But as I said before, it's the chemistry between Rogers and Talbot that make this picture a keeper. Both turn in funny and breezy performances.

I noticed something the second time that I watched this which doesn't make sense. At the end of the picture the assassin puts the unconscious Ginger into the furnace and then is called away. When he returns, he lights the furnace but Ginger isn't there anymore, she's on the cellar floor! If her escape had been filmed it wound up on the cutting room floor. Took a look in Ginger's autobiography to see if she mentioned why and found that she barely mentioned this film! oh well!

Povery row programmer reuniting Ginger and Lyle from previous years 'The Thirteenth Guest'(which is actually a bit better!). Young Ginger is fun to watch and is often hilarious as snoopy reporter in large apartment house trying to solve series of murders. Nice sets for a low-budget film. Didn't know who murderer was at all until he was shown doing up to no good and didn't know his motives until the very end of the picture!