On this day in 1937 (in the U.S.), Night Key enjoyed its theatrical debut. Directed by Lloyd Corrigan from a story by Tristram Tupper, Jack Moffitt, and William A. Pierce, the film starred Boris Karloff, Warren Hull, Jean Rogers, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The inventor of a new top-of-the-line burglar alarm system is kidnapped by a gang in order to get him to help them commit robberies."
For the record:
At the 2007 Saturn Awards, Night Key was part of an all-new home video release -- The Boris Karloff Collection -- that received a nomination in the category of 'Best DVD Collection.'
-- EZ
Night Key (1937) is a 68-minute crime thriller/sci-fi film starring Boris Karloff as David Mallory, a kindly inventor losing his eyesight who creates an advanced burglar alarm. After his invention is stolen by a former partner, gangs kidnap Mallory to force him to help them commit robberies, leading to a showdown where he uses his own technology to fight back.
Key Details
- Genre: Crime Thriller/Science Fiction (often mistaken for horror due to its inclusion in Universal's "Shock Theater" package).
- Release Date: May 2, 1937 (USA).
- Director: Lloyd Corrigan.
- Plot: Mallory seeks to regain control of his invention when gangsters, led by "The Kid," force him to help them break into businesses that use his system.
- Cast: Boris Karloff (David Mallory), Warren Hull (Travers), Jean Rogers (Joan Mallory, his daughter), and Samuel S. Hinds (Stephen Ranger).
- The "Night Key" Device: A specialized device used in the film to manage or override the high-tech, light-beam-based security systems.
- Karloff's Role: Unlike his typical monster roles, Karloff plays a sympathetic, elderly, and frail "lovable grandfather" figure.
Night Key is remembered for its blend of gangster tropes with early technological concepts and for Karloff’s departure from horror, playing a sympathetic role.
RSS Feed