A Scream in the Night

Scream in the Night (1935)

* (out of 4)

Detective Jack Wilson (Lon Chaney, Jr.) is after a jewel thief in a small seaport. This was the first film where Chaney went by the name "Lon" and it's apparent he did so here to cash in on his father's memory and name. The film has a title at the start to let us know Lon Chaney, Jr. is the "star" and he's playing two roles, something his father did several times. Chaney offers up two very different roles with different results. He's actually pretty good as the detective but his scenes as the drunk are over the top and silly. As far as the film goes, it's pretty bad from start to finish. I normally get some sort of enjoyment out of these "B" mysteries but this one here is just downright awful with a bad story, weak supporting characters and horrible direction. This is without question one of the weakest mysteries I've seen. What's so shocking is that the movie runs under a hour yet it feels like three.

1935's "Scream in the Night" was the last of two features produced by Ray Kirkwood's Commodore Pictures, starring vehicles for the 29 year old Lon Chaney Jr., whose dual role here isn't really much better than "The Shadow of Silk Lennox." Instead of a natty big city gangster, Lon is on the right side of the law as Jack Wilson, tracking down master jewel thief Johnny Fly (Manuel Lopez) to Singapore, where he infiltrates the smugglers by impersonating the scarred Butch Curtain (also Chaney), owner of the waterfront dive where the gang resides. Curtain gives the younger Chaney a chance to compete with his father under a heavy makeup, otherwise that's where the comparison ends, for neither part gives him much to do apart from having two (admittedly attractive) leading ladies. Contrary to what many reviewers have to say, Lon didn't change his name to do these two low budget efforts, since he answered the call at RKO for "Captain Hurricane," only to see his footage end up on the cutting room floor, followed by an unbilled bit in Paramount's "Hold 'Em Yale" (he first receives credit as 'Lon Chaney Jr.' in a second Paramount, "Accent on Youth"). Neither of his Commodore films saw any release in 1935, this one earning a 1943 premiere for Astor Pictures, following Lon's star making performances in "Of Mice and Men" and "The Wolf Man."

The plot concerns the Tear of Buddha ruby which the villain wants to get and the owner and his niece want to keep. Low budget independent film thats more than a tad creaky owing to it production rather than its story which does move along at a good clip. Certainly not a great film but it is one that over comes its limitations for a decent way to spend an hour.

Lon Chaney Jr has two roles as detective searching for a criminal mastermind and as the masterminds henchmen. Its good to see him in what would be an atypical role as a romantic leading man. Clearly the two roles was an effort to cash in on his fathers name and while its not one of the tortured roles he was well known for later in his career, he does acquit himself nicely.

Worth a look especially for Lon Chaney Jr fans.

Not a completely terrible film but it's not a good film. It is however fun to watch Lon Chaney Jr playing two roles: Jack Wilson & Butch Curtain. Butch a shady wharfside pub owner and Jack the look-alike detective that dresses like Butch to catch the criminals and get back the stole gem.

It's a weird crime-mystery that has some funny moments. It's not a good film at all but just above horrible - but extremely watchable for Chaney Jr. - he's the best thing about the film besides the feisty females in the story.

Watch this for Chaney Jr or if you really like older bad crime-mysteries... if you are a fan of either then you might get a kick out of this film.

4/10

Definitely not one of Lon Chaney Jr.'s more memorable films that's for sure,, for the large part I believe he was terribly miscast for this particular role.. and probably should have avoided this film altogether. He plays to his credit though 2 roles.. one of a Police Detective, and the other of a drunkard, criminal.. a gem is in possession of a man , then it is stolen from him,, and the detective has to get his hands on it,,, there are two women involved, so you have a love triangle going on between several men,, which complicates things in the movie, such as a doublecross.. my favorite part of the movie without a doubt is the parrot scene,, where the drunkard.. Chaney Jr. character is throwing darts at a dartboard,, and there is a parrot right next to the dart board,, and the parrot is so annoying,, and you have to laugh as the man grows very agitated at the parrot and every time he throws the darts,, the look on the parrot's face is priceless.