Night Must Fall

Starring: Montgomery, Robert and Russell, Rosalind

Who can resist handsome Danny (Robert Montgomery)? Not the girls in an English village abuzz over the discovery of a headless corpse. Not the rich, disagreeable old woman (Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominee Dame May Whitty) he works for. No one, except the old woman's niece (Rosalind Russell), who suspects that Danny's charming facade hides someone cold, calculating and possibly mad. Based on Emlyn Williams' London and Broadway stage hit, Night Must Fall is a chilling, perfectly calibrated thriller that will have you checking the locks on the door as you ponder the contents of that hatbox Danny carries around. Montgomery, long typecast as the suave star of romantic comedies, earned a 1937 Best Actor Oscar nomination for his harrowing, career-changing performance.

• Format: DVD
• Language: English
• UPC: 883316280348
• Release Date: June 2011
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Publisher: Allied Vaughn
• Director: Thorpe, Richard
• Starring: Montgomery, Robert, Russell, Rosalind
• Runtime: 1 hour, 57 minutes
• Number of Disks: 1
• Other Video Info: DVD
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.5" x 5.4"

Customer Reviews

“Good night, ladies” Lyrics - Lou Reed

I came across the play from many different angles. It was mentioned in other programs and film criticisms. Then, when I found the script “Night Must Fall: A Play in Three Acts (Kindle Edition)” and saw that there was a 1937 film version with Dame May Whitty, Rosalind Russell, and Robert Montgomery. I was mesmerized into buying a copy. I knew the play but had to see how it played out in this remastered film. I was not disappointed. Now, people who are more interested in discovering for themselves who-dun-it will be disappointed, as the play is more of a psychological thriller and is more interested in people’s reactions to each other. You may find the movie to be more rounded than the play, but very close. It was well-acted and well-paced, as you get sucked into the story, you forget that it is just a play, and you find yourself kibitzing. The basic story is that a woman went missing from a nearby hotel. Naturally, people suspect foul play. A suspicious worker from the hotel now comes to worm his way into the good graces of a rich widow. We know who everyone suspects (probably a red herring). My money is on the lawyer, as you know how they are. But watch and decide for yourself. After you are finished watching it for the first time, watch again and see what you missed while speculating on who-dun-it. Usually, in these old movies, it is the butler. Try to find “The Thirteenth Chair” with Dame May Whitty.