Night Key

Initially, I had scoffed at this title's inclusion in Universal's "The Boris Karloff Collection" Set - but it turned out to be a 'B' film with plenty of interest: a fast-moving crime drama which leaves room for characterization, featuring a very good atypical performance by Karloff (playing an inventor far older than his current age).

The film (which demonstrates a novel obsession with gadgetry) could easily have seen the star turned into a criminal mastermind or another mad scientist-type - but he remains a victim, a pawn in the hands of unscrupulous manufacturer Samuel S. Hinds and baby-faced racketeer Alan Baxter. Romantic leads Jean Rogers and Warren Hull are actually quite appealing and the supporting cast includes Edwin Maxwell as Karloff's double-crossing lawyer, Ward Bond as one of Baxter's henchman and Hobart Cavanaugh - who actually steals the film - as a small-time hood who finds himself an unlikely partner to Karloff (his character, nicknamed "Petty Louie", has a penchant for slang with "Are we in?" and "It's in the bag!" as his favorite phrases).

Typecast as "Boris Karloff" the monster, William Henry Pratt (his real name) was cast almost exclusively as monsters and mad scientists. He shows glimmers of real humanity in most of these roles, but rarely got to play a hero.

Here is the exception. A kindly old scientist steps over the line only slightly in order to compel a ruthless businessman who has twice cheated him to do the right thing. In the end, he proves himself loyal, kind, honest, and courageous, in spite of being elderly and nearly blind.

A movie like this (though definitely a "B" movie) demonstrates that this did not have to be the case. Karloff/Pratt could easily have played many a kindly grandfather or filled many other likable roles. What a pity he so rarely got the chance!

Night Key is directed by Lloyd Corrigan and adapted to screenplay by Jack Moffitt & Tristam Tupper from a story by William A. Pierce. It stars Boris Karloff, Jean Rogers, Warren Hull and Samuel S. Hinds. Music is by Louis Forbes and cinematography by George Robinson. Plot sees Karloff as aging inventor David Mallory, who once again finds himself cheated by security business boss Stephen Ranger (Hinds). With his eyesight failing and a daughter (Rogers) he wants to set up before he passes on, Mallory decides to teach the scheming Ranger a lesson. However, the criminal element headed by The Kid (Alan Baxter) have designs on using Mallory and his "Night Key" device for their own ill gotten gains.

Well Louis! We are in.

Out of Universal Pictures, Night Key was knocked out in under a month and budgeted, unsurprisingly, on the cheap. Yet the film belies these matters to be a good old fashioned yarn for entertainment. Melodrama mixes with a touch of sci-fi as the story unfolds as an interesting character piece, the veins of which are mostly pumped by an honest versus dishonest theme. Within there's a burgeoning romance etched in to the narrative, but this is handled well by the director as it aids the flow and reason of plotting, while the odd bit of action here and there stops the film from being too staid. The effects from John P. Fulton, too, are good fun and leave a favourable mark late in the story.

Picture gets most of its strength from Karloff's performance. An undervalued talent at the best of times, Night Key gives viewers the chance to see just what he could do away from the horror iconography that defined his career. Here as the sombre and fragile David Mallory, Karloff isn't just looking the part because of make-up, he is able to match his body to the aged state of the character, simultaneously garnering great empathy from the viewers. It's a character, courtesy of performance, that firmly has us rooting for against the baddies. Around Karloff are effective turns from Rogers (bright), Hinds (weasel like), Hobart Cavanaugh (fun as the comedy side-kick, Petty Louis) and Ward Bond, who as henchman thug is an imposing presence.

It's all very daft and goes where we expect, and want, it to go, but with Karloff leading the way this is a comfortably recommended time filler. 7/10

Hadn't heard much about this film before. I knew Karloff was in it, and that was just about it.

Had such a fun time watching it.

Boris was so great here, and the actress playing his daughter was also great. They actually felt like a realistic portrayal of a father and daughter's relationship. I also think the lead mobster guy was fantastic! There were moments where he didn't have to say anything, and yet his performance was very strong.

I highly recommend the movie to anyone whom hasn't seen it before-especially to Karloff fans. He steals the show, here.

Boris Karloff seemingly can make a small film all the bigger with his fine performance. Such is the case with this lesser known Karloff film...Night Key. Though the film is in no way a horror picture, it does have some science fiction elements. The story tells about a Mr. Mallory..an aged man who has spent his life inventing a night key alarm system only to have it stolen from him by his former business partner and his own lawyer. Karloff is in fine fettle as the inventor, and even seems like a live Gepetto both in look and manner. The film is typical for its day.....not a very imaginative script nor great quality character acting, although Hobart Cavanaugh does a nice job as a petty hood helping Karloff get back at his enemies. What makes it stand out is the understated acting of Karloff...a role which he plays for sympathy and compassion. Not a big film but a little one...still a good one to see. The film is not on video so you may have to try and find it on video transfers from 16mm prints.