Midnight (1934 film)

Midnight
File:Midnight1934.png DVD cover
Directed by	Chester Erskine
Produced by	Chester Erskine
Written by	Chester Erskine
Starring	Sidney Fox Henry Hull Margaret Wycherly Humphrey Bogart
Cinematography	William O. Steiner George Webber
Edited by	Leo Zochling
Production company	All Star Productions
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release dates	March 7, 1934 (1934-03-07) (U.S.)
Running time	76 min.
Country	United States
Language	English

Midnight is a 1934 American drama film directed by Chester Erskine and starring Sidney Fox, O.P. Heggie, Henry Hull, Margaret Wycherly, and Humphrey Bogart in a small supporting role. The film was re-released as Call It Murder after Bogart became a movie star, where he was given top billing, even though he was credited eighth in the original release. The film was produced for Universal and was shot on a modest budget of $50,000 at Thomas Edison Studios, which producer/director Chester Erskine had re-opened specifically for the shoot.

The movie begins at the murder trial of Ethel Saxon, a woman who shot her lover in a crime of passion. During the trial, Edward Weldon, the jury foreman, asks the defendant a question, which essentially leads to a guilty verdict and a death sentence for her.

The rest of film takes place on the evening of the execution, mostly in the Weldon home. Edward is dealing with the consequences of his role as foreman, and his daughter Stella is upset by the departure of her gangster boyfriend, Gar Boni, whom she met during the trial. The evening culminates at midnight as the switch is pulled at the death house and a gun is fired in a parked car. Moments later, Stella returns home, admitting that she has shot Gar Boni.

Cast

• Sidney Fox ... Stella Weldon
• O.P. Heggie ... Edward Weldon
• Henry Hull ... Nolan
• Margaret Wycherly ... Mrs. Weldon
• Lynne Overman ... Joe Biggers (as Lynn Overman)
• Katherine Wilson ... Ada Biggers
• Richard Whorf ... Arthur Weldon
• Humphrey Bogart ... Gar Boni
• Granville Bates ... Henry McGrath
• Cora Witherspoon ... Elizabeth McGrath
• Moffat Johnston ... Dist. Atty. Plunkett
• Henry O'Neill ... Ingersoll (as Henry O'Neil)

External links

• Midnight at IMDb
• Midnight at AllMovie