London by Night

A murder occurs in a London night. A mystery man with an umbrella is seen running away. Reporter Michael Denis is always accompanied by his loyal dog Jones. Socialite Patricia Herrick joins him in his investigation along with Scotland Yard Inspector Jefferson.

The umbrella is a cute prop until it's not. It becomes more or less a gimmick. He is literally using the umbrella to hide behind even when he's indoors. It starts like a great concept, but it becomes a bit ridiculous. I like Michael's start with his dog. I like his connection with Patricia although they need more time together. They need the time to do more banter. I did get invested in the murder mystery even if it's only a flawed little film.

I had never heard of this film or George Murphy my main reason for watching it was George Zucco and I was not disappointed. The mystery kept me entertained the cast were excellent would certainly recommend it to fans of thirties mystery films.

London by Night (1937) was a B movie, set in London (read: back lot of MGM) and starring George Murphy, Virginia Field, Rita Johnson, Leo G. Carroll, George Zucco, Montagu Love, and Corky. This film is actually based on a play that was never produced.

Murphy plays Michel Denis, a newspaperman in London who, in the morning, is leaving for a vacation in Paris. He and his buddy, a dog named Jones, decide to stay in London, however, to help solve a series of murders by a man carrying an umbrella.

Along the way, he meets a pretty socialite (Johnson), who lives in a house that includes her father (Zucco) and a butler (Carroll).

The atmosphere is captured with lots of fog and some dreadful Cockney, the worst offender being the usually likable Virginia Field. She overdid her role as a barmaid big time.

George Murphy was an actor of terrific charm, and he brings it on here. The dog who plays his dog, Corky, is terrific.

Pleasant.

MGM seldom delved into atmospheric B-film mysteries depicting "London By Night", since those kind of thrillers were usually made by studios like RKO and Universal during the '30s and '40s.

But this atmospheric mystery, filmed entirely on the MGM back lot, is a welcome diversion that graced the bottom half of double feature bills back in 1937.

GEORGE MURPHY is a man who wants to go to Paris in the morning (he tells us so about ten times during the course of the story), but reluctantly stays behind to solve a murder case involving a man who uses disguises and an umbrella to do his dastardly deeds.

RITA JOHNSON is the pretty socialite with the strict father (MONTAGUE LOVE) and her household includes LEO G. CARROL. GEORGE ZUCCO is on the good side of the law (for a change) as a Scotland Yard detective.

It's an entertaining little trifle that will keep you guessing as to the outcome after a few murders along the way. Unfortunately, VIRGINIA FIELD, as a Cockney barmaid, overacts outrageously in a desperate attempt to provide comic relief. The dog Corky is much better at that.

George Murphy is Denis, newspaperman in London. he's in a pub in london when all hell breaks loose. when a couple of locals are necking in the park, a man with an umbrella is spotted running around, late at night, and the locals are sure he's up to no good. bring in scotland yard. and when the clues lead to the Herrick mansion, Denis tries to figure out how Patricia Herrick (Rita Johnson) might be involved. finally, there's a demand for money. Denis and scotland yard backtrack and try to follow the clues. but it's not who they think! Murphy had only been in the biz a couple years when he got this starring role. directed by Wilhelme Thiele. had to leave germany, as Jews were not welcome there under adolph. Story by playwright and story man Will Scott. it's a shortie from MGM, apparently from the play "The Umbrella". and Murphy was actually a U.S. Senator!