Blind detective Edward Arnold shares a jovial moment with Donna Reed and valet Mantan Moreland in the MGM mystery, EYES IN THE NIGHT.
EYES IN THE NIGHT
1942, Alpha Video, DD-2.0/+, $5.95, 79m 30s, DVD-0 By John Charles
Aided by his dog Friday and
somewhat less clever helper Marty (Allen Jenkins), blind de- tective Duncan McLain (Edward Arnold) investigates the murder of Paul Gerente (John Emery), a self-centered actor who was set on seducing nubile 17 year-old Barbara Lawry (Donna Reed). The girl’s stepmother, Norma (Ann Harding), had previously been jilted by Gerente and tried to warn Barbara, who mistook her actions as jealousy. Norma seems the most likely suspect, but Mr. Lawry (Reginald Denny) has a new invention desired by Axis agents, who have managed
to infiltrate his home. Could the murder somehow be connected to their activities? Adapted from Baynard
Kendrick’s novel ODOR OF VIO- LETS, this is a programmer by MGM standards and the mystery is actually wrapped up fairly early in the proceedings. However, di- rector Fred Zinnemann (who had HIGH NOON and ON THE WA- TERFRONT in his future) effec- tively builds suspense, leaving the viewer to wonder just how McLain (who insinuates himself into the house by pretending to be a vis- iting uncle) will stall the spies (led by a stern Katherine Emery) un- til Friday can alert Marty and the authorities. A handful of plot con- trivances are forgiven, thanks to this most novel investigator and Arnold’s dynamic interpretation.
Duncan is almost entirely inde- pendent and makes no apologies for his affliction, knowing that it gives him advantages his smug opponents would never dream of. The always welcome Mantan Moreland appears briefly as Duncan’s high-strung butler. A second Duncan McLain mystery, THE HIDDEN EYE, followed in 1945. Despite its MGM pedigree,
EYES IN THE NIGHT slipped into the public domain, but Alpha’s presentation is somewhat above average as their product goes. The print displays light wear and tear and the VHS-sourced image looks slightly dupey. However, resolution is decent and the au- dio perfectly sufficient. The om- nipresent Alpha catalog is included.
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