SO DARK THE NIGHT
US, 1946, 71 minutes, Black and white.
Steven Geray, Micheline Cheirel, Eugene Borden, Anne Codee.
Directed by Joseph H. Lewis.
This film is interesting as a contribution to the career of Joseph H. Lewis, director of small budget features but with a significant reputation in his time and, especially, later. He directed such films as My Name is Julia Ross and Gun Crazy.
One of the surprising features of this film and its short running time is that it is set in France with French characters and situations as well as performers – but was filmed at a ranch in the United States.
Steven Geray was a character actor and this is one of his rare opportunities for him to have a starring role. He is a detective in Paris who is getting worn down, has not had a holiday in 11 years, is urged by the superiors who admire him to go away for a holiday. After walking around Paris, he agrees.
In the provincial town, he is attracted by young woman who, in herself, is eager to break free of the town and go to Paris. However, there is an understanding since they were children with the local farmer, Leon.
The detective is infatuated, encouraged by the young girl’s mother but told by her father that he is too old for his daughter. The plot moves towards marriage – but then come the deaths, the girl, Leon, the girl’s mother…
The detective uses all his skills to detect the murderer though there are no clues. Eventually, with the rain, there is a shoe print. There are also warning notes.
The detective returns to Paris, discusses the case with his superiors, examines the clues, sees the results from sketch artist and declares that he is the killer. The film then moves on to a discussion of schizophrenia, films of the time interested in psychological and mental states, and there is a melodramatic conclusion with the death of the detective.
1. An unusual story from Hollywood in 1946? French settings, characters, plot, atmosphere? But no mention of the war?
2. The American settings for Paris, the Surete offices, the shoeshine on the street? Travelling to the countryside, the town, lodgings, the woods? The musical score?
3. The focus on the detective, his successful career, becoming tired, his memory, not having a holiday? The concern about the officials, his walking around the city before he left, the sites, the tip for the shoeshine boy? His agreement to go on a holiday? The doctors and their opinions?
4. The first part of the film as a romance? With the film gradually getting darker?
5. The psychological aspects of the film, films on these years interested in mental states, the discussions about schizophrenia? The manifestations in the detective?
6. His arriving at the town, the welcome at the inn, the parents, the chambermaid, Nanette? The ordinary situations? His response? His falling in love with Nanette?
7. Nanette, her place in the house, her father thinking the detective was too old, her mother keen for her to move and have opportunities? Her dreaming of Paris? Clothes, opportunities? Her relationship with Leon? Since they were children? The outings with the detective, restaurants, dancing?
8. Leon, his character, the farm, his obsession with Nanette, jealousies?
9. The buildup to the wedding? Nanette and her leaving? The hunchback and his news? Finding Leon dead? The death of Nanette? The reaction of her parents? The death of the mother?
10. The detective, his concern, his investigation? The footprint, the size of his shoe? The threatening notes?
11. His concern, going back to Paris? The discussions with the officials, the sketch artist, the fingers, the shoe in the cast, the notes and the handwriting? His declaring that he himself was the killer?
12. The discussions about schizophrenia? The character of the detective? Under guard? His going back to the town, the confrontation with Nanette’s father, threatening to kill him? The police shooting him? His smashing the windows, his death?
13. The credibility of the characters, and this psychological case study?
