Things Happen at Night


Things Happen at Night is a 1948 British supernatural comedy horror film directed by Francis Searle and starring Gordon Harker, Alfred Drayton, Robertson Hare and Garry Marsh. 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.
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

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'."
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."