Good idea lost in the noise

Better Late Then Never

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Blistering performances.

Department store owner Robert Young (as Charles "Charley" Phelps Jr.) arrives to consider selling his asset, then stumbles upon a strangulation victim. He orders a lockdown and cooperates with lawmen Sidney Toler and Ted Healy. Connected to the victim is pretty Florence Rice (as Joan Sutton), who provides Mr. Young with romance. She is the sister of beautiful Julie Haydon (as Eve), who helps boyfriend Leslie Fenton (as Carl Briggs) rob a warehouse in the opening sequence. All are suspects, some are victims. "The Longest Night" is so short you don't have time to wonder who may be guilty.**** The Longest Night (10/2/36) Errol Taggart ~ Robert Young, Florence Rice, Sidney Toler, Julie Haydon

Robert Young is likable in the romantic thriller. Florence Rice is, too, as the worker in his father's store for whom he falls. A couple murders are committed. The police, including Sidney Toler, investigate. (Almost the whole thing takes place on the premises of the store.) During the period such B-movies in this very overworked genre usually are still turning up clues, this solves the mystery. Very unsatisfactorily, I might add.Julie Haydon plays Rice's sister. She is said to have been wonderful in the original stage production of "The Glass Menagerie." And she's fine here. But, though it has several plots going on at once, to a degree it's more short subject than full-length movie.

This is a fairly entertaining programmer featuring Robert Young in his early screen career. He is again teamed with Florence Rice, an up and coming actress who never quite made it in the big times, though she showed potential. Of interest is Ted Healy as Police Sergeant Magee (yes, another dumb detective/policeman role). Healy was the comic responsible for introducing The Three Stooges to the world. That may be a blessing or a curse depending on how much you like Moe, Larry, and Curly."The Longest Night" is a compact comedy thriller with the entire story taking place on one night (hence the title) at one location, a department store, except for the opening sequence which takes place on the street. Sidney Toler, in his pre-Charlie Chan days, has the meaty part of Captain Holt, the one in charge of the investigation when a murder occurs in the store. The cast includes an assortment of character actors including the often corny Olin Howland as a floorwalker.Thought there is much attempt at humor, most of it is lame by today's standards. Many of the supposedly funny lines fall flat; even the slapstick seems forced. This film would have played better with less comedy and more thrills and chills.Taken as a short murder mystery, "The Longest Night" works. Taken as a comedy, it falls on its tush.

"The Longest Night" is a great and entertaining motion picture. Set in a department store, the participants include two sisters, the young owner of the store, annoying little brats, a kleptomaniac, a murderer and assorted cops. The movie had suspense, thrills, romance and laughs. What more could you ask for? Its short length meant a sad lack of screen time for the lovely Robert Young. But, as the saying goes, always leave them wanting more!!