Night of Terror (1933)

Columbia Pictures released Night of Terror (1933) on April 24, 1933. Made before the enforcement of the Production Code, the film contained a couple of situations, which would not be allowed in a year or two. In this film (affiliate link), Mary Rinehart frequently kisses a man she is not engaged to but remains the heroine.

A maniac is killing people without warning in the vicinity of the Rinehart Estate. The estate residents are on edge for a number of reasons. Arthur Hornsby, a distant relative of the Rineharts, plans to test his new suspend animation serum by being buried alive. Mary Rinehart is engaged to Hornsby. However, she also has strong feelings for newspaper report Tom Hartley.

bela-lugosi-1900

Bela Lugosi in 1900 at 18 Years of Age from of the Public Domain

Tom Hartley, played by Wallace Ford, frequently visits the Rinehart Estate as he investigates the maniac’s murders. When Mary’s father is murdered, Hartley is determined to find the killer and solve the murders before something happens to Mary as well.

Bela Lugosi plays the servant Degar, whose wife Sika, sees the future and holds seances for the Rinehart family. The police suspect Degar of being the maniac.

Sally Blane played Mary Rinehart in Night of Terror. Born as Elizabeth Jane Young on July 11, 1910, she was the older sister of Loretta Young. Sally bore a strong resemblance to her sister but never rose above playing the heroine in “B’ pictures.

Sally Blane would have roles in over a 100 films but only acted occassionally after 1939. Blane married actor and director Norman Foster in 1935. After having two children with Foster, she focused more on home and less on her film career.

Foster and Blane were able to avoid the Hollywood plague of divorce. They were married for 41 years until Foster died in 1976. Sally Blane would live another 21 years. On August 27, 1997, Blane died at 87 years of age.

Night of Terror runs a crisp 64 minutes. Featuring plenty of action along with Bela Lugosi and Wallace Ford, the film is more entertaining than most “B” films. It also has a plot twist and unique ending. I would recommend watching it and letting me know what you think of the film.

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