Runtime: Only 58 minutes
Directed by: Hobart Henley
Starring: Lew Ayres, Mae Clarke, Boris Karloff, Dorothy Revier, Russell Hopton
From: Universal
An obscurity that I hope gets an HD release one day. As typical, it was a Letterboxd mutual whose review made me aware of this Universal film; unfortunately, that studio isn’t like MGM or Warner Brothers in having much of their back catalogue widely available in restored quality but that’s a topic for another occasion. To the relief of probably everyone, there is a copy on YouTube in an acceptable quality.
In a movie only 58 minutes long, the pace is lightning-quick as various characters are shown in a nightclub run by Boris Karloff; this includes an obvious Pre-Code reminder in a minor character that has “a fey-sounding voice”. That was interesting timing as Pride Month begins… eventually, there are two points of focus: Lew Ayres (his mom shot his dad; he hasn’t handled this well) developing a romance w/ dancer Mae Clarke & Karloff’s wife cheating on him. There is also a Black doorman who was endlessly charming despite concern over his wife’s hospital stay.
There’s a dance number literally directed by Busby Berkeley, some jokes-you’ll love this if you think the town name Schenectady is hilarious-romance, plenty of snappy patter and even a few deaths. I’ve heard the term “curio” used to describe Night World and that is apropos. Those that dig these Pre-Code films, it is a short time commitment even if Night World doesn't enchant you.
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