"A Night to Remember" isn't in the class of the Thin Man comedy mysteries, but it's a fun film that stars Loretta Young and Brian Aherne. If anything, Aherne's character, Jeff Troy, is more comedic, even to the point of being silly at times. Young plays his wife, Nancy. The film has a fine supporting cast that includes Gale Sondergaard, the mistress of shadowy mystery in so many films. And, one very good character must have been added just for the humor. Sidney Toler is inspector Hankins. He seems to be made up to look like the Chinese detective, Charlie Chan, whom he played and helped make famous through many movies in the late 1930s through the mid-1940s. We watched those on TV at night in the 1950s.
Aherne exhibits some characteristics not associated with manliness. He seems to be jumpy at times and frightens easily, but then he quickly regains his composure. And, he may hold the record of one man fainting on film. He does it twice. The first time is understandable, especially for the comedic effect in a wonderful scene. But the last time there could be no plausible reason for him to faint except for the film to close on a very funny note – with looks of disgust on the faces of the several police officers present.
This film is a strange blend of comedy, crime and murder mystery, with the comedy the largest part. It's quite far out, but all the weird and unusual situations add up to a very entertaining movie. There is a serious crime, further compounded by a more serious murder. Some of the characters are mysterious and the setting is right out of a comic book. Yet, scenes that otherwise might have one sitting on edge with suspense or fright aren't at all frightening here. They are more curious because of the comedy and the musical score that feeds the comedy more than the suspense or any threat of lurking danger.
At the start of the film, it's nighttime when Jeff and Nancy pull up in a cab at 13 Baker Street to move into their newly rented apartment. It's the basement apartment and it reminded me of the apartment in the movie, "My Sister Eileen." It has three entrances and the locks on two of them don't work. The lights haven't been turned on yet. And, there's a constant intruder – a long-time resident of the place, a large turtle named Old Hickory. He is the cause of the occasional shriek let out by the housekeeper, Mrs. Salter (played by Blanche Yurka).
The story takes off from there with hilarious twists and turns. This is mostly a fun film to watch for some of the antics along with the dialog. Here are some comic lines from the film. They should give one an idea of what to expect, or miss – if one doesn't watch "A Night to Remember."
Eddie Turner, building owner (played by Don Costello), "Mr. Troy, your wife tells me you're a novelist." Jeff, "That's odd. She never told me." Nancy, "Oh, darling. I don't tell you everything."
Hatcheck girl in Polly's Stable, "Your check, sir." Nancy, "Never mind. He always gets the wrong hat anyway."
Nancy, "Jeff, don't be a fool." Jeff, "Don't be silly. I've always been a fool."
Nancy, "Aren't you scared?" Jeff, "I was scared 15 minutes ago. I'm petrified now."
Detective Pat Murphy (played by James Burke), "Inspector, why don't you let me take this guy down to headquarters where we can have a nice quiet talk?" Jeff, "Take me down to headquarters, eh? Oh! Threatening me with third degree, eh? Well, let me tell you something – the police are not allowed to use a rubber hose on anyone these days." Murphy, to Inspector Hankins, "Can't we?" Inspector, "No rubber."
Jeff, "You wait here." Nancy, "Oh, no. If you're going to be murdered, I'm going to be murdered too." Jeff, "Stop talking about murder."
Post Office client, "I know where I live. Just give me three one-cent stamps, please."
We hear a scream in the hall. Nancy, "Well, Jeff, aren't you going to go see what that was? Jeff, "I don't have to find out. I know what it was. Somebody screamed." We hear another scream. Jeff, "See, what did I tell you?"
Nancy, "For years I thought I was married to a moody genius. Now I discover you're just a plain fool."
Jeff, "Well you don't want a husband that's a coward, do you?" Nancy, "I'm not particular. I just want a husband."
Aherne exhibits some characteristics not associated with manliness. He seems to be jumpy at times and frightens easily, but then he quickly regains his composure. And, he may hold the record of one man fainting on film. He does it twice. The first time is understandable, especially for the comedic effect in a wonderful scene. But the last time there could be no plausible reason for him to faint except for the film to close on a very funny note – with looks of disgust on the faces of the several police officers present.
This film is a strange blend of comedy, crime and murder mystery, with the comedy the largest part. It's quite far out, but all the weird and unusual situations add up to a very entertaining movie. There is a serious crime, further compounded by a more serious murder. Some of the characters are mysterious and the setting is right out of a comic book. Yet, scenes that otherwise might have one sitting on edge with suspense or fright aren't at all frightening here. They are more curious because of the comedy and the musical score that feeds the comedy more than the suspense or any threat of lurking danger.
At the start of the film, it's nighttime when Jeff and Nancy pull up in a cab at 13 Baker Street to move into their newly rented apartment. It's the basement apartment and it reminded me of the apartment in the movie, "My Sister Eileen." It has three entrances and the locks on two of them don't work. The lights haven't been turned on yet. And, there's a constant intruder – a long-time resident of the place, a large turtle named Old Hickory. He is the cause of the occasional shriek let out by the housekeeper, Mrs. Salter (played by Blanche Yurka).
The story takes off from there with hilarious twists and turns. This is mostly a fun film to watch for some of the antics along with the dialog. Here are some comic lines from the film. They should give one an idea of what to expect, or miss – if one doesn't watch "A Night to Remember."
Eddie Turner, building owner (played by Don Costello), "Mr. Troy, your wife tells me you're a novelist." Jeff, "That's odd. She never told me." Nancy, "Oh, darling. I don't tell you everything."
Hatcheck girl in Polly's Stable, "Your check, sir." Nancy, "Never mind. He always gets the wrong hat anyway."
Nancy, "Jeff, don't be a fool." Jeff, "Don't be silly. I've always been a fool."
Nancy, "Aren't you scared?" Jeff, "I was scared 15 minutes ago. I'm petrified now."
Detective Pat Murphy (played by James Burke), "Inspector, why don't you let me take this guy down to headquarters where we can have a nice quiet talk?" Jeff, "Take me down to headquarters, eh? Oh! Threatening me with third degree, eh? Well, let me tell you something – the police are not allowed to use a rubber hose on anyone these days." Murphy, to Inspector Hankins, "Can't we?" Inspector, "No rubber."
Jeff, "You wait here." Nancy, "Oh, no. If you're going to be murdered, I'm going to be murdered too." Jeff, "Stop talking about murder."
Post Office client, "I know where I live. Just give me three one-cent stamps, please."
We hear a scream in the hall. Nancy, "Well, Jeff, aren't you going to go see what that was? Jeff, "I don't have to find out. I know what it was. Somebody screamed." We hear another scream. Jeff, "See, what did I tell you?"
Nancy, "For years I thought I was married to a moody genius. Now I discover you're just a plain fool."
Jeff, "Well you don't want a husband that's a coward, do you?" Nancy, "I'm not particular. I just want a husband."