1948 British film
| Things Happen at Night | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 |
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. 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.
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
- Chibnall & McFarlane p.39
- BFI.org
- Chibnall & McFarlane p.39
Bibliography
- Chibnall, Steve & McFarlane, Brian. The British 'B' Film. Palgrave MacMillan, 2009.
External links
| Films directed by Francis Searle | |
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- 1948 films
- 1947 films
- 1947 comedy horror films
- 1940s ghost films
- British comedy horror films
- British black-and-white films
- British films based on plays
- Films shot at Southall Studios
- Films shot at Twickenham Film Studios
- Films directed by Francis Searle
- 1940s English-language films
- 1940s British films
- Films scored by George Melachrino
- Films set in country houses
- British haunted house films
- Films about spirit possession
- English-language comedy horror films
- 1940s British film stubs
- Comedy horror film stubs