Midnight (1934 film)

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Midnight

DVD cover
Directed by Chester Erskine
Produced by Chester Erskine
Written by Chester Erskine
Starring Sidney Fox
Henry Hull
Margaret Wycherly
Humphrey Bogart
Cinematography William O. Steiner
George Webber
Editing by Leo Zochling
Studio All Star Productions
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates March 7, 1934 (USA)
Running time 76 min.
Country USA
Language English

Midnight is a 1934 film noir directed by Chester Erskine and starring Sidney Fox, O.P. Heggie, Henry Hull, Margaret Wycherly, and Humphrey Bogart. The film was re-released as Call It Murder after Bogart became a movie star. His credit was moved to above the title, although Bogart was eighth in the cast credits in the original release. The movie begins with jury foreman Edward Weldon's questioning which leads to the death sentence for Ethel Saxon. His daughter Stella is in love with gangster Gar Boni, played by Bogart. The movie has an unexpected ending, the story focusing on the angst of capital punishment as well as truth and honor in an age when crime was growing. The director used some innovative techniques for the times to build drama, including camera trucking and panning in complementary scenes. Bogart, though not with a major role, seems to stand out among the other players for camera presence, voice quality and acting ability. Even in this movie, being among his very first, it is obvious Bogart is star quality. The other actors do not do a great job of convincing, in fact, their characters, even though with very serious roles, sometimes appear almost comedic.

Cast

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