Night Key (1937)

1937's "Night Key" came during Hollywood horror's lean period, proving that even at his home studio, Universal had no more idea what to do with 'horror star' Boris Karloff than did their counterparts over at Warners, who (after "The Walking Dead") cast him as a comic Oriental in "West of Shanghai," a milquetoast red herring in "The Invisible Menace," a railroaded doctor ala Samuel Mudd in "Devil's Island," and a master spy in "British Intelligence." At least Boris gets a starring vehicle to finish his one picture contract extension from "The Invisible Ray," unlike co-star Bela Lugosi, whose contract was thrown away on a minibudgeted programmer, "Postal Inspector," loaded with stock disaster footage, receiving a meager fourth billing as a nightclub owner gone bad. Previously billed at Universal only as 'Karloff' (beginning with "The Black Cat"), Boris does wind up somewhat diminished in this entertaining little 'B,' as elderly electronics wizard David Mallory, who foolishly signs away the rights to his latest burglar alarm system to the same unscrupulous partner who had swindled him 20 years before, Steven Ranger, ironically played by perennial nice guy Samuel S. Hinds ("The Raven," "It's a Wonderful Life"). Now faced with an uncertain future for himself and devoted daughter Joan (Jean Rogers), the nearly blind Mallory resorts to petty mischief, with the aid of a small-time crook appropriately named 'Petty Louie' (Hobart Cavanaugh), gleefully breaking and entering (but careful not to steal) using his own device to foil Ranger's security system. Trouble really starts when a criminal gang headed by 'The Kid' (Alan Baxter) decide to use Mallory's invention to commit real robberies, purposely leaving clues to incriminate their unwilling accomplice. Lovely Jean Rogers, Flash Gordon's Dale Arden, is ably supported by J. Warren Hull, Karloff's former co-star in "The Walking Dead," continuing his crime fighting ways by starring in "The Spider's Web," "The Spider Returns," "Mandrake the Magician," and "The Green Hornet Strikes Again." Interesting to see dependable Frank Reicher and Ward Bond in major villain roles, while Edwin Maxwell ("Mystery of the Wax Museum") is perfectly in character as Mallory's shady lawyer, selling him down the river. Director Lloyd Corrigan only had one further feature before switching to full time acting by 1939, gracing such future Universals as "Dark Streets of Cairo," "North to the Klondike," "Mystery of Marie Roget," "Eyes of the Underworld," "Captive Wild Woman," and "She-Wolf of London." Despite its inclusion in Universal's popular SHOCK! television package of the late 50s, "Night Key" has predictably remained under the radar ever since, even among Karloff fans. Classics like "Frankenstein" and "The Mummy" had already aired multiple times on Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater before they finally got around to this one (twice)- Sept 18 1976 (preceding 1934's "The Man Who Reclaimed His Head") and June 24 1978 (following 1946's "She-Wolf of London").

Actor Lloyd Corrigan took a turn directing this little-seen but fun thriller that casts Boris Karloff as elderly inventor David Mallory, who has created a new state-of-the-art burglar alarm that former rival Steven Ranger(played by Samuel Hinds) has bought, but maliciously refuses to put on the market, ruining Mallory because he had married a woman that Ranger had loved. Furious, Mallory plans revenge by preventing the alarms going off in Ranger's stores during minor thefts, but this brings on the unwanted attention of gangsters, who kidnap Mallory's daughter Joan(played by Jean Rogers) to force him to work for them. Pretty good film has a sympathetic performance by Karloff and a good pace, with imaginative story. Deserves to be better known.

Night Key is directed by Lloyd Corrigan and adapted to screenplay by Jack Moffitt & Tristam Tupper from a story by William A. Pierce. It stars Boris Karloff, Jean Rogers, Warren Hull and Samuel S. Hinds. Music is by Louis Forbes and cinematography by George Robinson. Plot sees Karloff as aging inventor David Mallory, who once again finds himself cheated by security business boss Stephen Ranger (Hinds). With his eyesight failing and a daughter (Rogers) he wants to set up before he passes on, Mallory decides to teach the scheming Ranger a lesson. However, the criminal element headed by The Kid (Alan Baxter) have designs on using Mallory and his "Night Key" device for their own ill gotten gains.Well Louis! We are in.Out of Universal Pictures, Night Key was knocked out in under a month and budgeted, unsurprisingly, on the cheap. Yet the film belies these matters to be a good old fashioned yarn for entertainment. Melodrama mixes with a touch of sci-fi as the story unfolds as an interesting character piece, the veins of which are mostly pumped by an honest versus dishonest theme. Within there's a burgeoning romance etched in to the narrative, but this is handled well by the director as it aids the flow and reason of plotting, while the odd bit of action here and there stops the film from being too staid. The effects from John P. Fulton, too, are good fun and leave a favourable mark late in the story.Picture gets most of its strength from Karloff's performance. An undervalued talent at the best of times, Night Key gives viewers the chance to see just what he could do away from the horror iconography that defined his career. Here as the sombre and fragile David Mallory, Karloff isn't just looking the part because of make-up, he is able to match his body to the aged state of the character, simultaneously garnering great empathy from the viewers. It's a character, courtesy of performance, that firmly has us rooting for against the baddies. Around Karloff are effective turns from Rogers (bright), Hinds (weasel like), Hobart Cavanaugh (fun as the comedy side-kick, Petty Louis) and Ward Bond, who as henchman thug is an imposing presence.It's all very daft and goes where we expect, and want, it to go, but with Karloff leading the way this is a comfortably recommended time filler. 7/10

Kindly and brilliant inventor David Mallory (a fine and sympathetic portrayal by Boris Karloff) invents a new security system. Mallory gets abducted by a gang of nefarious burglars who force the old guy to assist them with a series of robberies. Directed with real flair by Lloyd Corrigan, with a nonstop brisk pace, colorful characters, crisp black and white cinematography by George Robinson (the artful use of fades and dissolves is especially impressive), a nice sense of playful humor, snappy dialogue, a tight and engrossing script by Jack Moffitt, a lighthearted tone, a robust score, and a lively and exciting climax, this movie overall sizes up as a highly entertaining item. Moreover, it's a total treat to see Karloff portray a rare decent and amiable good guy part: With his failing eyesight and gentle manner, David Mallory makes for a very appealing protagonist. The fetching Jean Rogers adds charm and spark as Mallory's perky daughter Joan, Alan Baxter does well as ruthless gang leader John Baron, Hobart Cavanaugh almost steals the whole show with his amusing turn as wormy low-life small-time crook Petty Louie, and Ward Bond is suitably menacing as hulking strong-arm thug Fingers. A fun flick.