THE NIGHT HAS EYES

UK, 1942, 79 minutes, Black and white.
James Mason, Joyce Howard, Wilfrid Lawson, Mary Claire, Tucker Mc Guire, John Fernald.
Directed by Leslie Arliss.

The Night Has Eyes is a brief, small-budget British thriller from the early war years. It was directed by Leslie Arliss, who was to go on to direct some of the Gainsborough costume melodramas like The Man in Grey. It also stars James Mason in a characteristic role, brooding out in the Yorkshire fogs and moors. It is quite a competent thriller - and has a twist at the end as Mary Claire and Wilfred Lawson, from seeming to be charming and a kindly old couple, turn into murderous villains. Effective in its way.

1. Entertaining British thriller? Atmosphere?

2. Black and white photography, studio sets, B-budget? The strong cast? Musical score?

3. The atmosphere of the thriller - the mood, the expectations, twists?

4. Marian and Doris, at school, the end of term, the train trip, the encounter with Barry and his attentions? The drive, the walk through the moors and the fog? Retracing their dead friend's steps?

5. Stephen, his meeting the girls on the moors, his house, the atmosphere of mystery, his skill with music, his experience in the Spanish civil war, the comments on communist background? His injuries, Mrs Ranger and her care of him, bringing him back to health? Sturrock and his place in the household? Stephen's moods, locking the doors, the secret rooms, suggestions of madness, the deaths of animals, his love for Marian, his warnings, the final confrontation? The revelation of the truth, Mrs Ranger and Sturrock hurrying through the quicksand? The ending? Happiness?

6. Marian and Doris and their friendship, Doris and her comments about sex? Marian as heroine, the atmosphere of the ghost, their dead friend's presence? Falling in love with Stephen? The meeting with Barry, his help? Mrs Ranger and her advice? Leaving, her return, the climax?

7. Mrs Ranger, her kindness, looking after Stephen? The warnings about the dead animals? Sturrock and his work around the place?

8. The twist, the revelation of the truth about Mrs Ranger? Their evil motives, their power over Stephen? His getting the gun, confrontation, walking through the quicksand? Their deaths?

9. Entertaining thriller with moral and moralising touch?