Review of Fear in the Night (1947) by John A — 13 Jun 2011

Debut film for DeForrest Kelly of 60's TV Star Trek fame as "Bones" is never better in this stylish nightmarish film of suspense. Perhaps because of Kelly's great performance (in my opinion), I never stopped watching this tale of crime, suspense, minimal romance, the wrongly accused, the hidden criminal. He really "makes" the film.

Plot: A man dreams he committed murder, then begins to suspect it was real.

Take on the film: I found this film noir very captivating, engrossing and innovative. A man has dreams, nightmares of killing somebody, but he really did? The question is did he do it of his own will? This is ONE film I can't tell too much of the plot. It gives too much away what I have already told.

See this film, as I recommend so few. It takes a lot to impress me lately. This one did.

Reviewers wrote, pro and con:

1 "All in all, a well-done treatment of a classic pulp story, outshining its grade-C noir origins. (For all the Trekkies, DeForest Kelly, aside from being younger and skinnier, acts exactly as he did in Star Trek 20 years later. And, though he's now several years the senior of the average Wal-Mart greeter, looks exactly like he does now.)" ---Austin Chronicle.

2 "A strong cast and a creative script make this a film that lovers of classic mystery movies need to see.".

----- RT's SteveMiller.

3 "This is far from a great movie; it's not even really a good noir, but Kelley's rare lead performance is fascinating and he makes us care about what happens. Anyone who is into Star Trek classic will probably be as quickly hypnotized by his young non-baggy-eyed presence as Deforest is by the badguys."---- by secgrat.

4 "With a brisk running time of 70 minutes, cheap sets, and dodgy acting the film is able to move along with it's silly over the top but plausable plot and there is enough mystery and suspense to keep you mildly interested. Dream sequences, suicide attempts and chase scenes add to the limited action."---- RT's Matt the Hat.

NOTES about the film:

1 The film was remade by the same director in 1956 with the title Nightmare this time starring Edward G. Robinson playing the detective.

2 Film quote that tells it all:

"I've got an honest man's conscience... in a murderer's body.".

Directed by Maxwell Shane.

Produced by William H. Pine,.

William C. Thomas.

Written by Cornell Woolrich (story Nightmare as William Irish),.

Maxwell Shane.

Starring.

Paul Kelly ... Cliff Herlihy.

DeForest Kelley ... Vince Grayson.

Ann Doran ... Lil Herlihy.

Kay Scott ... Betty Winters.

Charles Victor ... Captain Warner.

Robert Emmett Keane ... Lewis Belknap, aka Harry Byrd.

Jeff York ... Deputy Torrence (as Jeff Yorke).

Music by Rudy Schrager (what music?).

Distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Release date(s) April 18, 1947 (US premiere).

Running time 72 min.

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