Brilliant! - Night Must Fall (1937) Discussion

[–] MissMcCrocodile 15 years ago

I was so impressed with Robert Montgomery today. He really gave me the creeps. Roz Russell was great, I haven't seen her not crack-wise in a while. I thought the whole cast was wonderful.
Has anyone seen a production of this on stage?

Yes, sir, I'm going to do nothing like she's never been done before!

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[–] misspaddylee 15 years ago

Has anyone seen a production of this on stage?

I saw a production at the Shaw Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake 18 years ago. It was positivley chilling.

"Fortunately, I keep my feathers numbered for just such an emergency."

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[–] agera 15 years ago

I saw this again yesterday, nearly 40 years after my first viewing, and thought it absolutely superb.

Plot, setting and characters and the production are all first-rate.

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[–] Ironman54 14 years ago

As Montgomery stands there, pillow in hand, I find myself mumbling at the screen "No, no... no you can't do that !!" LOL !! They stretch the scene perfectly - just enough time to comprehend the evil of this man .... and at the same time theres the thought that just maybe he will find salvation, change his ways and live happily ever after with the old lady and Roz ...

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[–] noirgirl 14 years ago

I saw Matthew Broderick do this on stage, and it was mesmerizing. We still talk about the hat box!!!

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[–] jpgr1 14 years ago

I was completely taken with Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell in this movie. Their accents were so subtle and believable. It's even more impressive to see Robert Montgomery play Danny after seeing him play the tough, blue collar New York boxer in Here Comes Mr. Jordan. Rosalind Russell also plays against type from her usual role. I always associate her with loud, fast talking and wisecracking dame in roles like His Girl Friday, The Women and Auntie Mame. Brilliant acting from both.

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[–] broccoli2 13 years ago

He gave me the willies, too. But in certain scenes I was also drawn to him, even when I was certain he was the killer. But the most brilliant part is how Olivia got free of her Aunt!! I believe that's why she covered for Danny with the hatbox, so he could do what she couldn't.

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[–] SusanJL 12 years ago

You know, I think you may be right - Roz even says in the movie "I could kill her".
I had a light bulb come on after my last viewing of this film - wouldn't the police search the house after the old lady's murder and find the head in the hatbox? And wouldn't Roz get in serious trouble as the police realize she lied about it? They probably would think she plotted with Danny to murder the old lady!! Knowing Danny, he'd try to pin it all on Roz as being her idea!!

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[–] mdonln 9 years ago

wouldn't the police search the house after the old lady's murder and find the head in the hatbox? And wouldn't Roz get in serious trouble as the police realize she lied about it? They probably would think she plotted with Danny to murder the old lady!! Knowing Danny, he'd try to pin it all on Roz as being her idea!!

You make a valid point but it’s not necessarily a problem for Olivia. First, remember how worried the Inspector was about having possibly offended her. There would be no reason to check the box during their investigation because she’s already laid claim to it. The contents, they might assume as the Inspector apparently had, could be a lady’s private ‘delicate’ belongings and, out of courtesy, would not ask to search it.

In all likelihood, she would be the one to tell them the box was his and by so doing would tend to show she is cooperating and probably wasn’t involved. She could claim she trusted him at the time or was mistaken and thought the box was hers since it had been in the storage room. The maid and Dora can refute such claims but there’s no telling what they’d do or if they’d be aware of all aspects of the case.

Also, you’re assuming there’s a head in the hatbox. That was never established. When the Inspector asks about it Danny says it isn’t his. His freaking out may not have anything to do about the contents of the box. It could be because he’s starting to lose it. He realizes he’s starting to lose his power to charm and control people. Before he lets him in, Danny was practically bragging to Olivia that he’d be able to ‘take care’ of whoever was at the door. Well, he didn’t; instead his belongings are searched. The final scene of the movie points to how he feels about being stripped of his 'powers'. He tips his hat or salutes the officer waiting in the car but gets nothing. The realization that things have changed shows on his face.

Given the tales Danny’s been telling, anything could be in the box; things that would not look good in his possession perhaps but may make more sense in hers. If it’s a lot of money, the aunt is gone; Olivia could say that’s where the aunt kept her cash. If they’re jewels or other things women would own, she could say they’re hers or things her family had stored there over the years.

In regards to the aunt's murder, Danny could claim it was Olivia's idea but it would be hard to show motive. Yes, the old lady was ornery but she was to everyone except Danny. The aunt was leaving very little to her in her will and she had no money of her own. Her situation was better off with the aunt alive than dead. And, if she was after wealth and luxury, or even to escape the aunt, she had an option in Justin but never chose to go that route.

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[–] baggns 8 years ago

The hatbox is no longer there.

Remember, after the inspector leaves (after searching Danny's room .. Olivia claims the hatbox is hers), Danny faints.

Upon recovering, Danny tells Olivia his horror of the hatbox, the only thing he is afraid of, the eyes that could not see staring at him. He asks Olivia for the return of the hatbox, and the scene changes immediately to the forest outside at night, the camera creeps through the woods, we see glimpses of someone walking stealthily through the trees. At last, we arrive at a river with a bridge...the hatbox is gone.

Done.

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[–] mdonln 8 years ago

baggns says > He asks Olivia for the return of the hatbox, and the scene changes immediately to the forest outside at night, the camera creeps through the woods, we see glimpses of someone walking stealthily through the trees. At last, we arrive at a river with a bridge...the hatbox is gone.

Your explanation sounds reasonable but I didn't get the same impression. When Dan asked Olivia for the box, I just thought he wanted it back in his possession. After watching the movie again yesterday, I thought pretty much the same thing as I did when I originally saw it.

The scene you mentioned seemed unrelated and out of step with the rest of what was going on. When the inspector stopped by the house it was still fairly early in the day. The sun was shining brightly, the church bells had just tolled twelve times, and the old lady was taking her afternoon nap.

The forest scene was shown right after that but it would have been several hours later and by then it was dark. The shot panned over the dark forest then ended at the house where we saw that they were all having dinner inside. The conversation at the table makes it clear they hadn't just sat down so when could he have gone out to dispose of the box?

He was still in the same catatonic state he'd been in since the inspector was there. It seems unlikely he would have been able to do much of anything let alone go out and dispose of anything. After the body was found the area attracted all sorts of people and, for all he knew, the police may still have had a presence.

What I didn't understand was why Dan would have kept the head in the first place? It didn't make sense especially since, as you said, he was in horror about those eyes looking at him. He not only kept it but kept it in his room. The last place I think he'd want it would be there. The box may have been locked but that was taking quite a chance.

Also, Dan was way too confident about not being caught. He acted like he had a long history of getting away with crimes, probably including murder. That's why I believe he had the spoils of his previous crimes in that box; like money, jewelry, etc.. Those things would have needed to be kept with him in case he had to make a quick exit. If found, they could have tied him to previous crimes. It would explain why he freaked out.

What I thought we were supposed to take away from that scene was more about Olivia than Dan. Her reaction was to protect him even though she thought there was a human head in the box. She put herself at risk to protect for his sake; a man she believed to be a murderer. What was she thinking? I thought no one could be that stupid or that desperate for a little excitement in their lives but apparently, she was. I figured that out when she came back to the house. Who was sicker, him or her?

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

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[–] hodie 11 years ago

Montgomery is terrific in this film. One of my favorite screen villains!

"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"

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[–] RobbieCalifornia 9 years ago

Like everyone else here, I loved this movie. Great acting from everyone, good writing, suspenseful and often funny. Dame May Whitty was priceless. We need to encourage our kids to see these gems from the 30s and 40s, and to appreciate black and white photography.

Just recently saw 2014's Nebraska, done in black and white and just gorgeous to watch.

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