Secrets of the Night (1924) Online

I'm surprised this movie is not better known. I loved it so much, I watched it three times! Admittedly, I'm watching the excellent Alpha pressing. I would guess that even this beautiful print has been at least slightly condensed as it unhurls at an astonishingly fast pace, even though the excellent lead actor, James Kirkwood disappears from the running for at least 20 minutes. In fact, I'd almost forgotten him by the time he reappears. His absence is admirably filled in by Zasu Pitts doing her usual shtick as a frightened, dopey spinster and Tom Wilson (who amassed no fewer than 294 credits in his 1914-1963 acting career) as the equally frightened and almost as brainless major- do-mo. Although he makes a late entrance, another long-running actor, Otto Hoffman (297 credits 1914-1944) has a great time as the abrasive coroner. In fact, all the players are perfect in their roles, although I will admit that the stage does tend to get a bit overcrowded at times. Still, it adds to the fun. Incidentally, the Alpha version runs 72 minutes and even at that length, the movie shows signs that it was actually released in a longer version. Even this Alpha version zooms through the plot at such a vast speed that its a little difficult to follow what's happening, let alone who's who in what is a very large cast in these somewhat confined quarters. That the movie was based on a stage play is often very obvious. But as said above, I really enjoyed it!

SLOW STARTING IN MY OPINION, BUT GATHERS MOMENTUM ONCE WE'RE AT THE HOUSE. I LOVE MADGE BELLAMY, SHE'S A DOLL. ZASU PITTS LIGHTENS THE MOOD WITH COMEDY, ESPECIALLY HER FALL DOWN THE STAIRS WITH A TEA TRAY. SHE SPILLS NOTHING! I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS FILM TO OTHER SILENT MOVIE BUFFS.

Universal "Jewels" were meant to represent the studio's top prestigious films (most of the Lon Chaney movies etc) but as the 1920s progressed the "Jewel" name also was linked to any bigger budget movie in the hopes of luring people to the cinema and also justifying higher priced tickets but patrons soon wised up and by the end of the 1920s Universal's film rating system had been scrapped.

Based on the "sensational hit play" (so the lobby card said) "Night Cap", the big selling point for the movie would have to be Madge Bellamy, although she didn't have much to do, just being one of several guests stuck in a luxury mansion where strange doings are afoot. Starts off with an intriguing plotline involving James Kirkwood as Robert Andrews who is facing fraud charges along with other bank directors because someone they trusted seems to have disappeared!! And wouldn't you know it - along comes an auditor very keen to get on with the job!! Impulsively Andrews invites him to a gathering at his luxurious mansion, hoping that the flirtatious wife (Rosemary Theby) of one of the directors will work her charms on him but if that fails there is always Plan B - an elaborate hoax involving Robert faking his own death!!

Forget the synopsis on the back of the Alpha box - about mysterious deaths, bodies piling up, it's nothing like that. Once the scene shifts to the manor, it becomes a mystery with a big emphasis on comedy. Zasu Pitts plays Celia, Ann's loopy friend and it's clear that even though Von Stroheim felt she could have been a major dramatic actress, by 1924, she had her fluttery mannerisms down pat and she is the one who propels the narrative. Starting off with a shot of her wide eyes eagerly devouring "Murders in the Rue Morgue" - she is keen to believe any fluttering curtain, slammed door etc. There are almost two plots - the old dark house with every shadow sinister and the more conventional involving Andrew's love of his "ward" Ann (Madge Bellamy) - a love that's reciprocated but unfortunately when a young gentleman's proposal is rejected, a scene follows. Talk then turns to the attempted murder of Robert a week or so before and how Ann's unstable brother was probably responsible and the plot thickens.....

An excellent light hearted mystery with all revealed at the end and also no loose ends which is amazing in movies of this kind, where characters appear and then disappear without any explanation - not so here!! Also pretty good is Otto Hoffman as the coroner who insists on running the investigation his way - until the end!!