Overrated

Highly Overrated But Still Good

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

This film begins with the sound of a man screaming as he is falling from a high-rise building to his death. It turns out that the man is a millionaire living in a penthouse and the police aren't sure if his death was due to an accident, suicide or murder. However, three weeks prior to his death he had hired a new secretary by the name of "Ms. Terry" (Ginger Rogers). At least that is what he thought. It subsequently turns out that she is a reporter by the name of "Pat Morgan" and she is working for the "Morning News". Her reason for masquerading as his secretary was to investigate whether this millionaire had underworld dealings with a mobster by the name of "Josephus Martini" (Maurice Black). Unfortunately, she accidentally gives the scoop to her rival "Ted Kord" (Lyle Talbot) who works for the "Daily Express". She is subsequently fired but it just so happens that there is much more to the case than either Pat or Ted realize at the time. Anyway, rather than divulging any more of the story I will just say that this was a decent little film that was probably rather good for its time (1933). It had an intriguing plot with a good measure of both comedy and mystery thrown in. On the other hand, the lighting was really bad and I thought that the script was a bit arcane and abrupt as well. In any case, this is clearly a grade-B movie which was only made watchable by the presence of Ginger Rogers who puts in a decent performance all things considered. Overall, I rate it as average.

In "A Shriek In The Night" a young (22 at the time) Ginger Rogers shows some of the star quality that would, only a few years later, make her one of Hollywood's most beloved "golden age" stars. She is magnetic, and you can't take your eyes off her. To be fair, if you DID take your eyes off her in this movie, you wouldn't have much else worth looking at! The film has a captivating start, but the comedy is not particularly funny, the mystery cheats shamelessly, there is a dated "a woman's place is in the home" message, and the film drags so much it makes the running time of one hour feel like two. A couple of atmospheric scenes, the not-so-clueless-after-all inspector's assistant, and of course Ginger herself are the saving graces. Beware of some DVD covers which give away the secret of who the killer is! ** out of 4.

Undercover newspaper reporter Pat Morgan (Ginger Rogers) loses her job as a result of a dirty trick played on her by Ted (Lyle Talbot), a rival reporter and (we soon learn) sometime boyfriend. Ginger, not about to let that stand, shares her current opinion of Ted with a taxi driver who points him out, in that tone that only Ginger could deliver—Taxi driver: "Here you are, miss. And there's your man." Ginger: "Man! Don't be vulgar."Yes, Ted is a rascal, but he and Pat soon make up, and they set out to catch an apartment house killer who apparently mails a mysterious card to each of his victims shortly before he strikes. They work with (and sometimes without) Purnell Pratt as Inspector Russell, who is very good as the rare B movie police officer who is not only quick-witted and highly competent but even has a sharp sense of humor. Overall: Slick action, attractive performances and a fast-moving plot with dialog that doesn't ask us (or want us) to think too hard make this a winner. And bonus points for one short and sweet maniacal laugh from the killer!

"Rival reporters Pat Morgan (Ginger Rogers) and Ted Rand (Lyle Talbot) are always trying to out-scoop each other on stories. The latest involves the mysterious death of a philanthropist who fell to his death after a shriek was heard from his penthouse apartment. The two reporters start out as rivals but combine efforts to solve the crime and write the story when more residents of the apartment building turn up dead," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.This said-to-be follow-up to "The Thirteenth Guest" has little to do with the earlier movie; it is not a sequel, as has been inferred. Ms. Rogers continues to develop her skills. Mr. Talbot adds a little humor to his characterization. They are a pleasant team, the plot is interesting and mysterious; but, the resulting film is very dull. The opening and closing are startling. A long-winded wrap-up of plot development points follows the climax.*** A Shriek in the Night (1933) Albert Ray ~ Ginger Rogers, Lyle Talbot, Harvey Clark