Night Must Fall

1937
Approved
1h 56m

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

YOUR RATING

Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell in Night Must Fall (1937)

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1 Video

32 Photos

Drama Mystery Thriller

When a rich but cantankerous dowager on an isolated estate hires an engaging handyman, her niece/companion becomes suspicious of his motives.When a rich but cantankerous dowager on an isolated estate hires an engaging handyman, her niece/companion becomes suspicious of his motives.When a rich but cantankerous dowager on an isolated estate hires an engaging handyman, her niece/companion becomes suspicious of his motives.

Director
- Richard Thorpe
Writers
- Emlyn Williams
- John Van Druten
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

YOUR RATING

Director
- Richard Thorpe
Writers
- Emlyn Williams
- John Van Druten
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 4 wins & 2 nominations total

Mrs. Bramson
(as Dame May Whitty)

Alan Marshal

Justin

Merle Tottenham

Dora

Kathleen Harrison

Mrs. Terence

Matthew Boulton

Belsize

Eily Malyon

Nurse

E.E. Clive

Guide

Beryl Mercer

Saleslady

Winifred Harris

Mrs. Laurie

Nora Cecil

Woman in Tour
(uncredited)

Larry Harris

Boy
(uncredited)

P.J. Kelly

Townsman
(uncredited)

Florence Lawrence

Undetermined Minor Role
(uncredited)

Marjorie Prax

Girl
(uncredited)

Director
- Richard Thorpe
Writers
- Emlyn Williams
- John Van Druten
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
MGM didn't want Robert Montgomery to do the film, and at its premiere at Grauman's Chinese screened a trailer disclaiming the film and warning the audience about the film's "spurious content." Despite this, the film was well-received by audiences and critics.

Goofs
In Mrs. Bramson's bedroom, Danny tucks in Mrs. Bramson and leaves, closing the bedroom door with an audible click. The next scene shows Danny outside the bedroom again closing the still-open door.

Quotes
Olivia Grayne: I'm not a snob, but in case you'd like to call here again, I'd like to point out that although I'm employed by my aunt, I'm not in Dora's position.
Danny: Well, I hope not. I am gonna marry her though, and I...
Olivia Grayne: I don't believe you.
Danny: You don't believe me, do you?
Olivia Grayne: Your eyes are set quite wide apart... and your hands are quite good, but I really don't know what's wrong with you.
Danny: Like me, do you?
Olivia Grayne: No!
Danny: Everybody else does.

Crazy credits
The main title reads "The astonishing London and New York stage success 'Night Must Fall' ".

Connections
Featured in 100 Years of Horror: Maniacs (1996)

Soundtracks
Mighty Lak' a Rose
(1901) (uncredited)
Written by Ethelbert Nevin
Whistled by Robert Montgomery

User reviews60

Review

Featured review

8/10

Exceptional morbid comedy/drama

Witty reverse morality story of an obnoxious old woman (Whitty) who takes in a lodger/servant to help her (and to spite her live-in niece, Russell, who doesn't know her aunt is leaving her $100 in her rich estate). He's "not an ordinary servant", and neither is she. They have a love story, too, shared in the dark in a time when fear and possibility are the same, and death and sex interchangeable. Thus, Danny (nice, innocent sounding name), left alone with the old woman -- makes his move. Montgomery is stunning and disarming as he shifts from "play acting" as the charming young gent to the possibly psychotic. Russell is also a convincing dark horse, saddled with a lame lover. Great photography, decent directing. This is a should-be legendary suspense film.