''Terror at Midnight'' is a 1956

film noir Film noir (; ) is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of American ' ...

crime film Crime films, in the broadest sense, is a film genre inspired by and analogous to the crime fiction literary genre. Films of this genre generally involve various aspects of crime and its detection. Stylistically, the genre may overlap and combi ...

directed by Franklin Adreon and starring Scott Brady, Joan Vohs and

Frank Faylen Frank Faylen (born Charles Francis Ruf, December 8, 1905 – August 2, 1985) was an American film and television actor. Largely a bit player and character actor, he occasionally played more fleshed-out supporting roles during his forty-two ...

.Koper p.157 The film's sets were designed by art director Walter E. Keller.

Plot

Rick Rickards, a cop, lends his car to Susan Lang, his fiancée. She accidentally runs into a night watchman riding a bicycle. An eyewitness named Speegle suggests she flee the scene before the watchman regains consciousness. Susan takes the car to an auto shop run by Fred Hill, who recognizes it as Rick's vehicle. What she doesn't know is that Hill is in business with a couple of criminals, Hanlon and Mascotti. The men are concerned about Hill's alcoholic wife, Helen, who knows too much about their activities. Speegle shows up at Susan's home, hoping to blackmail her for $500. He finds out her boyfriend is a cop and scrams. Susan is told by Hill that he needs more time to repair her car, Hill now realizing that the car's been involved in an accident, information he can use. Helen, seeing her husband and Susan together, believes he is seeing another woman and, in a fit of drunken jealousy, gets into a truck and runs down Hill, killing him. Susan ends up suspected of the crime. Helen, in a panic and eager to leave town, goes to Hanlon and Mascotti threatening to tell everything she knows unless they pay her $5,000. They kill her instead. Susan finds the body and becomes the prime suspect in two murders now. Rick offers to resign from the force, but is urged to stay on it and solve the case. He and another officer end up in a car chase, forcing Hanlon and Mascotti off the road, arresting one and shooting the other. Susan is cleared of all charges and Rick takes her home.

Cast

* Scott Brady as Neal 'Rick' Rickards * Joan Vohs as Susan Lang *

as Fred Hill *

John Dehner John Dehner (DAY-ner) (born John Dehner Forkum, also credited Dehner Forkum; November 23, 1915February 4, 1992) was an American stage, radio, film, and television actor. From the late 1930s to the late 1980s, he amassed a long list of performan ...

as Lew Hanlon *

Virginia Gregg Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...

as Helen Hill *

Ric Roman Ric R. Roman (September 29, 1916 – August 11, 2000) was an American actor. He was perhaps best known for his roles in the films '' Lone Star'' (1952), '' Shadows of Tombstone'' (1953), '' Lizzie'' (1957) and '' The Wayward Girl'' (1957). He al ...

as Police Sgt. Brazzi * John Gallaudet as George Flynn * Kem Dibbs as Nick Mascotti * Percy Helton as Speegie *

Francis De Sales Francis de Sales (french: François de Sales; it, Francesco di Sales; 21 August 156728 December 1622) was a Bishop of Geneva and is revered as a saint in the Catholic Church. He became noted for his deep faith and his gentle approach t ...

as Police Lt. Conway * John Maxwell as Police Capt. Allyson * Rick Vallin as Police Officer Gaudino * John Damler as Police Officer Garfinkle * Jose Gonzales-Gonzales as Delivery Man * Joi Lansing as Hazel * Ruth Lee as Mrs. Lang * Doris Singleton as Linda * Marjorie Stapp as Waitress * Marcia Sweet as Neighborhood Woman * Dan Terranova as The Kid * Rod Williams as Police Officer Udell

References

Bibliography

* Koper, Richard. ''Fifties Blondes: Sexbombs, Sirens, Bad Girls and Teen Queens''. BearManor Media, 2010.

External links

* 1956 films 1950s crime films American crime films Films directed by Franklin Adreon Republic Pictures films 1950s English-language films 1950s American films American black-and-white films {{1950s-crime-film-stub

Plot

Cast

See also

References

Bibliography

External links