Night Key (1937) User Reviews

Good Ole Boris!

[BaronBl00d · 6/10 · 20 June 2000]

Boris Karloff seemingly can make a small film all the bigger with his fine performance. Such is the case with this lesser known Karloff film...Night Key. Though the film is in no way a horror picture, it does have some science fiction elements. The story tells about a Mr. Mallory..an aged man who has spent his life inventing a night key alarm system only to have it stolen from him by his former business partner and his own lawyer. Karloff is in fine fettle as the inventor, and even seems like a live Gepetto both in look and manner. The film is typical for its day.....not a very imaginative script nor great quality character acting, although Hobart Cavanaugh does a nice job as a petty hood helping Karloff get back at his enemies. What makes it stand out is the understated acting of Karloff...a role which he plays for sympathy and compassion. Not a big film but a little one...still a good one to see. The film is not on video so you may have to try and find it on video transfers from 16mm prints.

Change of Pace for Karloff!

[bsmith5552 · 6/10 · 26 September 2006]

"Night Key" was a change of pace for Universal's horror star Boris Karloff. Playing largely horror related roles through most of the 1930's, this film offered him a chance to step out of that genre for a welcome change of pace.

Karloff plays mild mannered inventor David Mallory who lives with his daughter Jean (Jean Rogers), has invented a new "electric eye" security system. He had been cheated out of the profits of his previous wire based system by unscrupulous businessman and former friend Steven Ranger (Samuel S. Hinds). This time however, Mallory has also invented a "night key" system which disables his security systems.

Mallory's lawyer, Kruger (Edwin Maxwell) conspires with Ranger to cheat Mallory out of his rightful royalties for his new invention. With the help of petty crook Petty Louie (Hobart Cavanaugh) who he helps escape from Ranger's holding cell, the two set out to discredit Ranger's company. Meanwhile Ranger Officer Jim Travis (Warren Hull) tries to locate Mallory and in doing so falls in love with Jean.

Mallory using his "night key" disables the Ranger Security Systems of several business, taking nothing, in order to destroy consumer confidence in Ranger. A gangster, known only as "The Kid" (Alan Baxter) becomes interested in Mallory's invention. Petty Louie gives up Mallory's location thinking that the two will make some dough working for The Kid. The Kid has other ideas.

Karloff as always delivers a solid performance as the going blind inventor. No mad scientist here. The requisite romance between Rogers and Hull adds little to the story. Cavanaugh almost walks off with the film as the small time crook Petty Louie. Baxter is also good as The Kid. Ward Bond appears as one of Baxter's henchmen, Fingers. Also watch for long time character actor George Cleveland as Ranger's engineer and for "B" western fans, Roy Barcroft in an early bit as a Ranger technician.

Karloff as Victim

[theowinthrop · 7/10 · 26 August 2006]

While not a major role for Boris Karloff, this film shows that he could have played nicer guys in his career, if he had never been shown the road to cinematic fame. He plays David Mallory, a kindly, hard working inventor who has perfected one of the first complete security systems of modern times (the 1930s version of those systems that are used in films like MISSION IMPOSSIBLE). Mallory lives with his daughter Joan (Jean Rogers) and hopes that it's marketing will give them the financial security that they have always deserved. But he has been cheated by his partner, Steven Ranger (Samuel S. Hinds) with the assistance of his lawyer Kreuger (Edwin Maxwell). Mallory is torn between seeking legal redress and getting vengeance (a typical Karloff situation, but usually his ego pushes it towards vengeance). Instead, he is befriended by a small time thief (Hobart Cavanaugh) whom he helps by defusing his alarm system in a robbery. Unfortunately this comes to the attention of a major criminal (Alan Baxter) who forces Karloff to do this to all the businesses that are using his system (the "Night Key" of the title).

The story is unique in that Karloff is not a villain at all in this (his actions in aiding criminals are forced on him, except when he helps the fairly decent Cavanaugh). But it's not the only switch in the casting. The real villain in here (except for Baxter) is Samuel S. Hinds.

Hinds normally was cast as a decent man - the father or grandfather of the hero or heroine. He is Katherine Hepburn's father in STAGEDOOR, who arranges her being hired by Adolphe Menjou so she can be "cured" of her acting bug. He is best recalled as the unfortunate father of Jimmy Stewart in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, who founds the savings and loan, battles Potter, but drops dead from a heart attack before Stewart can leave Bedford Falls. Occasionally he played rogues - he is the crooked judge in the film DESTRY RIDES AGAIN. But he goes really full blown here. Also, in the Bing Crosby film DOUBLE, OR NOTHING! Hinds is the sneaky father of a family of would-be heirs, out to sabotage the opposition by any underhanded trick they can come up with. In NIGHT KEY when the system is tested on the night it is installed it catches a small time crook. Hinds is upset by that: "Why can't you be a big time crook?", he shouts at the poor thief. It is an odd switch of the two actor's position from their normal roles.

Karloff was such a good actor (as was Hinds) that their switch in characterizations is carried off well. Not a great film, NIGHT KEY is a very well made minor product: a filler for the movie house program besides the grade "A" productions, the short subjects, cartoons, travelogues, etc. As such it is worth viewing in order to see what Karloff might have ended up doing more of had he had less luck.

Good to see Boris as Nice Guy

[pryor-notice · 7/10 · 15 May 2009]

Typecast as "Boris Karloff" the monster, William Henry Pratt (his real name) was cast almost exclusively as monsters and mad scientists. He shows glimmers of real humanity in most of these roles, but rarely got to play a hero.

Here is the exception. A kindly old scientist steps over the line only slightly in order to compel a ruthless businessman who has twice cheated him to do the right thing. In the end, he proves himself loyal, kind, honest, and courageous, in spite of being elderly and nearly blind.

A movie like this (though definitely a "B" movie) demonstrates that this did not have to be the case. Karloff/Pratt could easily have played many a kindly grandfather or filled many other likable roles. What a pity he so rarely got the chance!

NIGHT KEY (Lloyd Corrigan, 1937) **1/2

[Bunuel1976 · 6/10 · 29 October 2006]

Initially, I had scoffed at this title's inclusion in Universal's "The Boris Karloff Collection" Set - but it turned out to be a 'B' film with plenty of interest: a fast-moving crime drama which leaves room for characterization, featuring a very good atypical performance by Karloff (playing an inventor far older than his current age).

The film (which demonstrates a novel obsession with gadgetry) could easily have seen the star turned into a criminal mastermind or another mad scientist-type - but he remains a victim, a pawn in the hands of unscrupulous manufacturer Samuel S. Hinds and baby-faced racketeer Alan Baxter. Romantic leads Jean Rogers and Warren Hull are actually quite appealing and the supporting cast includes Edwin Maxwell as Karloff's double-crossing lawyer, Ward Bond as one of Baxter's henchman and Hobart Cavanaugh - who actually steals the film - as a small-time hood who finds himself an unlikely partner to Karloff (his character, nicknamed "Petty Louie", has a penchant for slang with "Are we in?" and "It's in the bag!" as his favorite phrases).

What I create. I can destroy.

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 19 May 2012]

Night Key is directed by Lloyd Corrigan and adapted to screenplay by Jack Moffitt & Tristam Tupper from a story by William A. Pierce. It stars Boris Karloff, Jean Rogers, Warren Hull and Samuel S. Hinds. Music is by Louis Forbes and cinematography by George Robinson. Plot sees Karloff as aging inventor David Mallory, who once again finds himself cheated by security business boss Stephen Ranger (Hinds). With his eyesight failing and a daughter (Rogers) he wants to set up before he passes on, Mallory decides to teach the scheming Ranger a lesson. However, the criminal element headed by The Kid (Alan Baxter) have designs on using Mallory and his "Night Key" device for their own ill gotten gains.

Well Louis! We are in.

Out of Universal Pictures, Night Key was knocked out in under a month and budgeted, unsurprisingly, on the cheap. Yet the film belies these matters to be a good old fashioned yarn for entertainment. Melodrama mixes with a touch of sci-fi as the story unfolds as an interesting character piece, the veins of which are mostly pumped by an honest versus dishonest theme. Within there's a burgeoning romance etched in to the narrative, but this is handled well by the director as it aids the flow and reason of plotting, while the odd bit of action here and there stops the film from being too staid. The effects from John P. Fulton, too, are good fun and leave a favourable mark late in the story.

Picture gets most of its strength from Karloff's performance. An undervalued talent at the best of times, Night Key gives viewers the chance to see just what he could do away from the horror iconography that defined his career. Here as the sombre and fragile David Mallory, Karloff isn't just looking the part because of make-up, he is able to match his body to the aged state of the character, simultaneously garnering great empathy from the viewers. It's a character, courtesy of performance, that firmly has us rooting for against the baddies. Around Karloff are effective turns from Rogers (bright), Hinds (weasel like), Hobart Cavanaugh (fun as the comedy side-kick, Petty Louis) and Ward Bond, who as henchman thug is an imposing presence.

It's all very daft and goes where we expect, and want, it to go, but with Karloff leading the way this is a comfortably recommended time filler. 7/10

A "new" Karloff film is always welcome

[bensonmum2 · 6/10 · 30 July 2007]

David Mallory is an inventor. Twenty years ago, he invented an alarm system that was so good his partner, Steven Ranger, stole his ideas and set-up his own security/alarm firm without compensating Mallory. Well, Mallory has now developed two new inventions. The first is an improvement on his old system – an electronic beam that detects intruders. He intends to sell the improvement to Ranger. It' s not until his old buddy does him wrong a second time that Mallory unveils his second new invention – an electronic key that will allow anyone who uses it to bypass the Ranger security system. Mallory begins using it to set off alarms all over town as a joke to annoy Ranger. But when the local crime boss gets wind of Mallory's invention, he wants it – and not for practical jokes.

While Boris Karloff is always welcome in any movie he appeared in, the role of David Mallory could, in all honesty, have been played by just about anyone. The role did not require Karloff's unique talents and abilities. I suppose that's one of the things that bothers me the most about Night Key – you have Karloff, why not use him to the fullest? I understand that Universal owed Karloff a movie, but why make this? Why not put him in something more in keeping with the image that Universal had already built up? It doesn't make much sense to me.

Overall, however, Night Key is an enjoyable little b-type picture. The film is nicely paced with rarely a lull to loss interest. Director Lloyd Corrigan does a solid job in that area. And the 68 minute runtime doesn't hurt either. The acting is good. Other than Karloff, I was impressed with Jean Rogers as his daughter and Hobart Cavanaugh as his less than reputable new friend. Though it's often predictable, the plot is nonetheless engaging. While I could have done without the subplot involving the relationship between Rogers' characters and one of the Ranger security guards, I've got few complaints otherwise. Overall, Night Key is not a bad way to spend an evening.

An Electronic Genius

[lugonian · 6/10 · 3 May 2015]

NIGHT KEY (Universal, 1937), directed by Lloyd Corrigan, stars horror film icon Boris Karloff in a sort of change-of-pace project from his then current trend. Not exactly playing a night watchman with a skeleton key to get into every room in a warehouse where he works, but a kindly-old inventor with a device known as "The Night Key." Having recently played a scientist whose invention has him going on a murderous rampage in THE INVISIBLE RAY (1935), for NIGHT KEY, Karloff brings a new dimension to inventor/scientist, which, up to that time, typically one who becomes insane through the use of one of his own experiments. Here he's a middle-aged father figure, frail in appearance but strong in his actions which marked a new beginning for Karloff with similar roles to follow. Now back to NIGHT KEY.

In an original story by William Pierce set in New York City, the plot introduces Stephen (or Steven) Ranger (Samuel S. Hinds), president of the Ranger Protective Agency, celebrating his twenty years of successful business serving alarm systems for banks and businesses. Dave Mallory (Boris Karloff), his former partner who actually invented these devises years ago, has never received credit nor royalties for his work. Now living in a tenement apartment with his adult daughter, Joan (Jean Rogers), a cashier for Coast to Coast Restaurant, Dave, having worked fifteen years on his latest security system, is slowly going blind. Fearing the new and improved invention might put him out of business, Ranger agrees to talk financial terms with Dave and market the product. Willing to forget Ranger's past misdeeds, Dave entrusts him with the invention in exchange with $500 advance royalty. Once the contracts are signed, Dave soon learns he's been tricked again, with Ranger having no intention of marketing the product after all. After Dave releases the soon to be arrested thief,"Petty Louie" (Hobart Cavanaugh), from Ranger's detention room with his night key, the two men team together through a series of break-ins to ruin Ranger's business, all leaving a note signed by "Night Key" that reads, "What I create, I can destroy." All goes well as planned until mobsters headed by The Kid (Alan Baxter) force Dave and Louie to join in their crime wave. As Dave's daughter awaits to hear from her father and his undisclosed whereabouts, she finds herself being trailed by Jimmy Travers (Warren Hull), one of Ranger's security guards who takes a special interest in this case.

Often classified as a horror film due to the Karloff name and stock music lifted from Universal's own "Werewolf of London" (1935) on certain occasions, NIGHT KEY had formerly been linked along other Universal horror titles ("Dracula," "Frankenstein," "The Mummy," "The Wolf Man") whenever shown on broadcast television on Fright Night or Shock Theater festivals back in the sixties and seventies, and briefly on New York City's "Cinema 13 Horror" in 1981. Regardless, NIGHT KEY is actually a quaint little "from science fiction to crime thriller" stories that offers Karloff the opportunity of becoming more than a creepy character or man of evil tendencies as indicated in THE BLACK CAT (1934). In NIGHT KEY, Karloff's performance of the frail, white haired old man with bushy mustache, helpless without his glasses, is quite believable. Aside from the secondary performances by the blonde Jean Rogers (in a physical manner of fellow blonde actress, Mary Carlisle) and Warren Hull (billed as J. Warren Hull), honorable mention goes to the long forgotten Alan Baxter whose distinctive voice and mannerism best suited for gangster leader, the same type he enacted in his debut film, MARY BURNS, FUGITIVE (Paramount, 1935) starring Sylvia Sidney. Interestingly, in spite of Baxter's unique personality, he never ranked among Hollywood's legendary tough guy types of James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart or even Alan Ladd. While Hobart Cavanaugh often appeared in minor bits, NIGHT KEY is one of those rare cases next to I COVER THE WATERFRONT (United Artists, 1933) where he's gets the most out of his supporting stature. Others featured in the cast are: David Oliver (Mike); Ward Bond ("Fingers'); Frank Reicher (Carl); and Edwin Maxwell (Lawyer Kruger). Henry Armetta and Nina Campini as an Italian couple offer some amusing moments.

Though some might find NIGHT KEY disappointing for lack of horror content, it's actually quite good for its standard, fast-paced second feature material. It's become available on DVD double featured along with Karloff's medieval feature, "Tower of London" (1939), though prints provided happen to be taken from 1940s reissue from Real-Art Pictures. Because of its science fiction theme, NIGHT KEY would be best suited as a double-bill with Karloff's THE INVISIBLE RAY (1935) on the flip side instead. (**1/2 keys)

Key To The City...

[azathothpwiggins · 22 July 2020]

In NIGHT KEY, Boris Karloff is kindly scientist, David Mallory, who has developed a unique alarm system. Unfortunately, Mallory is a bit too kindly, and is taken advantage of by someone who steals his ideas. The title device comes in handy when Mallory wants to get back at the man who robbed him. Unbeknownst to Mallory, some big time crooks find out about the device, abduct Mallory, and cause criminal mayhem.

Karloff is superb in his milquetoast role. Those accustomed to only seeing him play monsters or madmen must see this! No one does it better than Boris!...

Seen on Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater in 1976

[kevinolzak · 6/10 · 30 January 2014]

1937's "Night Key" came during Hollywood horror's lean period, proving that even at his home studio, Universal had no more idea what to do with 'horror star' Boris Karloff than did their counterparts over at Warners, who (after "The Walking Dead") cast him as a comic Oriental in "West of Shanghai," a milquetoast red herring in "The Invisible Menace," a railroaded doctor ala Samuel Mudd in "Devil's Island," and a master spy in "British Intelligence." At least Boris gets a starring vehicle to finish his one picture contract extension from "The Invisible Ray," unlike co-star Bela Lugosi, whose contract was thrown away on a minibudgeted programmer, "Postal Inspector," loaded with stock disaster footage, receiving a meager fourth billing as a nightclub owner gone bad. Previously billed at Universal only as 'Karloff' (beginning with "The Black Cat"), Boris does wind up somewhat diminished in this entertaining little 'B,' as elderly electronics wizard David Mallory, who foolishly signs away the rights to his latest burglar alarm system to the same unscrupulous partner who had swindled him 20 years before, Steven Ranger, ironically played by perennial nice guy Samuel S. Hinds ("The Raven," "It's a Wonderful Life"). Now faced with an uncertain future for himself and devoted daughter Joan (Jean Rogers), the nearly blind Mallory resorts to petty mischief, with the aid of a small-time crook appropriately named 'Petty Louie' (Hobart Cavanaugh), gleefully breaking and entering (but careful not to steal) using his own device to foil Ranger's security system. Trouble really starts when a criminal gang headed by 'The Kid' (Alan Baxter) decide to use Mallory's invention to commit real robberies, purposely leaving clues to incriminate their unwilling accomplice. Lovely Jean Rogers, Flash Gordon's Dale Arden, is ably supported by J. Warren Hull, Karloff's former co-star in "The Walking Dead," continuing his crime fighting ways by starring in "The Spider's Web," "The Spider Returns," "Mandrake the Magician," and "The Green Hornet Strikes Again." Interesting to see dependable Frank Reicher and Ward Bond in major villain roles, while Edwin Maxwell ("Mystery of the Wax Museum") is perfectly in character as Mallory's shady lawyer, selling him down the river. Director Lloyd Corrigan only had one further feature before switching to full time acting by 1939, gracing such future Universals as "Dark Streets of Cairo," "North to the Klondike," "Mystery of Marie Roget," "Eyes of the Underworld," "Captive Wild Woman," and "She-Wolf of London." Despite its inclusion in Universal's popular SHOCK! television package of the late 50s, "Night Key" has predictably remained under the radar ever since, even among Karloff fans. Classics like "Frankenstein" and "The Mummy" had already aired multiple times on Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater before they finally got around to this one (twice)- Sept 18 1976 (preceding 1934's "The Man Who Reclaimed His Head") and June 24 1978 (following 1946's "She-Wolf of London").

Even Karloff disappoints!

[JohnHowardReid · 4/10 · 12 August 2017]

Copyright 23 April 1937 by Universal Pictures Co., Inc. New York opening at the Central: 18 April 1937. U.S. release: 2 May 1937. U.K. release: June 1937. 6,098 feet. 67¾ minutes.

SYNOPSIS: Dave Mallory invents a superior burglar alarm, but is swindled by his former partner. So he invents a neutralizing apparatus and stages a series of "burglaries".

NOTES: Karloff's first starring role for Universal in comparatively normal make-up. Universal's publicity flacks made much of this little item of "news", pointing out that it took Jack Pierce only 90 minutes to prepare the actor for his role.

COMMENT: No wonder Corrigan went back to acting! As a director, he was hopelessly inept, unable to pries respectable performances even from halfway decent actors. Samuel S. Hinds is the worst offender here, standing stiffly whilst he rattles off lines like a talking weighing machine.

Karloff's dithery old scientist proves a disappointing bore. Not his fault. The main plot performs as well as tepid tea. A romantic sub- plot pans out equally mindlessly. A bit of action at the finale, plus one agreeably menacing shot between the heads of the crooks as they advance on our hero, fail to compensate for the picture's overall lack of sparkle and penny-pinching production values.

OTHER VIEWS: Under Lloyd Corrigan's polished direction, this first- rate thriller is capably served throughout by enjoyable players. — The New York Times.

A really nice departure for Karloff.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 15 August 2009]

This is one of the oddest Boris Karloff films I have ever seen. I don't mean this in a bad way, but say this because the plot is so atypical of his films. Instead of a horror film, it's sort of like sci-fi and comedy combined! Now calling is 'sci-fi' might be problematic. The film looks like it was set in 1937 but the electronics shown in the film really weren't possible for the day--you just need to suspend disbelief and enjoy.

The film begins with Karloff and his daughter excitedly talking about how much better their lives are about to become. It seems that Karloff is an electronics genius and has invented a super-advanced alarm system for businesses. Now he can afford the eye surgery he needs AND give his daughter everything she wants. However, Karloff is soon cheated out of his plans by an old business rival who did exactly the same thing years before--so you'd wonder why Karloff would agree to sell the same jerk this patent! Well, it's not totally unbelievable, as Karloff's lawyer secretly is working for the jerk!! When Karloff finds out the truth, he threatens to do bad things if they don't honor their agreement. The jerk laughs it off and so Karloff, who invented the original system to the company 20 years earlier, uses one of his inventions to break into the businesses with contracts with this monitoring service. But he doesn't steal anything, as he's basically a good man. Instead, he leaves silly messages that the system stinks and can easily be compromised--thus hurting the jerk's reputation. Karloff assumes that eventually the jerk will give in and honor his crooked contract.

In the meantime, two things happen. First, the jerk refuses to budge at all--sending out his goons to harass and threaten Karloff's daughter. Second, real criminals find out about Karloff's device and kidnap him--trying to force him to work for evil. So what is Karloff to do--help the crooks or back off on his attack on the jerk? Well, there's a lot more to it than that and I won't ruin it by saying more.

The bottom line is that the film has clever writing and despite a fantastic story, it was handled so well that you can't help but get sucked into the film. The great acting and breezy direction sure helped--making this one of the better B-films of the era.

Exciting, clever and fun from start to finish.

Burglary with Boris!

[Coventry · 6/10 · 17 November 2006]

The almighty Boris Karloff is primarily an icon of horror cinema so it's a bit peculiar that this film, which is in no way horror-related, got included in the fancy and recently released Karloff DVD-collection (cover image displayed here on the main page). Personally, I'm glad it's there, as "Night Key" was completely unknown to me and it's always a great pleasure to discover a new film from your favorite actor, especially if it's as amusing and adequately plotted as this film! Boris is once again very convincing as the elderly inventor of burglar alarms who just reached a personal breakthrough with his new system of a beam-based alarm. When he attempts to sell his invention to a major company, the manager slash former business partner robs him for the second time and Mallory develops a plan to get even. By developing a way to crack the old alarm systems, he hopes to sell his new one quicker but unfortunately a gang of mobsters takes quite an interest in his burglary methods… "Night Key" is by no means a mesmerizing film, but it benefices from a good pace and excellent acting performances. Apart from Boris, there's the really great acting to admire of Alan Baxter, Ward Bond and Hobart Cavanaugh as a small time crook. It's a fun little film, albeit very politically correct and loaded with clichés and stereotypes.

Samuel S. Hinds is lucky that his security company didn't protect a china shop...

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 19 April 2013]

...For Boris Karloff goes out of his way to make his point to his former rival who after many years has defrauded him once again, all because of their love of the same woman and Hinds' resentment because Karloff married her and had a beautiful daughter (Jean Rogers) with him. Now widowed, Karloff has perfected an alarm system which Hinds buys, but refuses to install, basically financially destroying Karloff. Hinds isn't too pleased when Karloff's "Night Key" prevents the alarm from going off in a clock shop at the right time (and the security guards are furious when all the clock's cuckoos go off at the same time!) then repeats the same thing in an umbrella shop. But gangster Alan Baxter wants to get his hands on the night key and with the help of the lovable thief Hobart Cavanaugh, Karloff tries to stop Baxter from using his invention for criminal intentions. Warren Hull is the moral security guard working for Hinds who realizes that Karloff has been defrauded and works overtime to expose his boss and win over Karloff's pretty daughter.

A fun, fast-moving crime drama with only the slightest bit of science fiction thrown in, "Night Key" is one of those movies with some preposterous ideas that in an alternate universe would seem realistic. Cavanaugh adds some humor to his petty crook, and his atonement after getting Karloff unintentionally involved with Baxter is truly touching. Baxter, reminding me of that film noir villain Dan Duryea, is unique in the gangster film universe as he seems much younger than the usual film gangster. Hinds' vengeful businessman is of course not likable but he has a chance to redeem himself too once he finally opens his eyes to what he has become. Rogers is lovely, feisty and a perfect heroine here. Karloff is a bit more touching here with his almost blindness giving a vulnerability to him that has you rooting for him even when he's actually breaking the law.

Karloff Always Delivers

[utgard14 · 7/10 · 16 February 2014]

Boris Karloff plays an inventor of high-tech burglar alarm systems. Twenty years before he was ripped off by crooked Samuel S. Hinds, who took full credit for his invention and built a thriving security business out of it. Now Boris has invented a system to top his old one. He makes the boneheaded decision to trust Hinds again and is again ripped off. So he teams with small-time thief Petty Louie to break into places and make Hinds look bad, leaving behind notes signed Night Key. But then a gang of crooks kidnaps Karloff and forces him to help them commit real robberies.

It's a mix of science fiction and crime picture. Karloff is excellent as always. I don't think I've ever seen a bad Boris Karloff picture. Petty Louie, played by Hobart Cavanaugh, is lots of fun. Samuel S. Hinds plays a villainous role very far removed from Peter Bailey. Alan Baxter and Ward Bond are the two most noteworthy gang members. Only drawback is the insipid romantic subplot between Karloff's daughter Jean Rogers and security guard Warren Hull, but it doesn't intrude on things too much. It's a fun movie Karloff fans will love.

Very Solid And Fun!

[michaelgarykelley1994 · 6/10 · 1 December 2019]

Hadn't heard much about this film before. I knew Karloff was in it, and that was just about it.

Had such a fun time watching it.

Boris was so great here, and the actress playing his daughter was also great. They actually felt like a realistic portrayal of a father and daughter's relationship. I also think the lead mobster guy was fantastic! There were moments where he didn't have to say anything, and yet his performance was very strong.

I highly recommend the movie to anyone whom hasn't seen it before-especially to Karloff fans. He steals the show, here.

Little-Seen Thriller.

[AaronCapenBanner · 7/10 · 22 October 2013]

Actor Lloyd Corrigan took a turn directing this little-seen but fun thriller that casts Boris Karloff as elderly inventor David Mallory, who has created a new state-of-the-art burglar alarm that former rival Steven Ranger(played by Samuel Hinds) has bought, but maliciously refuses to put on the market, ruining Mallory because he had married a woman that Ranger had loved. Furious, Mallory plans revenge by preventing the alarms going off in Ranger's stores during minor thefts, but this brings on the unwanted attention of gangsters, who kidnap Mallory's daughter Joan(played by Jean Rogers) to force him to work for them. Pretty good film has a sympathetic performance by Karloff and a good pace, with imaginative story. Deserves to be better known.

Cute little film

[doctorsmoothlove · 6/10 · 9 January 2008]

This is Karloff's least memorable movie (since he isn't the antagonist). However, Karloff does portray the hapless inventor well. The only fault I see is that the film didn't make use of his individual talent as well as it could have. Any person could have been Mr. Mallory. Nevertheless, "Night Key" is a pleasant film because of its just funny dialog and realistic acting. I recommend it not only because it offers a change of pace for Karloff fans but also because its noir elements make it still entertaining. This film is surprisingly memorable not just because of the creative story but because of the amusing dialog. For example, when Ranger arrests Petty Louie he laments that the 10,000th person that his alarm has helped him arrest wasn't a big-name criminal. Louie apologizes and says that he was too shy to have been a more loathsome criminal. Also, Louie's accent and his constant recognizance of Mallory as his "boss" if very amusing just by how out of place the dialog feels. Even though Karloff gets the credit as the popular actor, Cavanaugh has the best performance. Mallory could have been portrayed by any actor.

Excellent Crime Story

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 5 February 2016]

The inventor (Boris Karloff) of a new top-of-the-line burglar alarm system is kidnapped by a gang in order to get him to help them commit robberies.

Although Boris Karloff may be best known for his horror roles, he makes a great character in this crime story, too. A man who has been wronged, he tries to right that wrong, but things go badly for him. He just cannot catch a break, even when he is the mysterious Night Key.

Great plot, decent direction and crisp cinematography really help this one out. Some have noted that it has elements of science fiction. While nothing in the film is impossible, the security system was actually a bit advanced for 1937. It sort of anticipates the laser, which was not invented until 1960.

The key that unlocks everything

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 14 January 2015]

Night Key although starring Boris Karloff in the prime of his horror film stardom is far from that. In this film Karloff plays an inventor who was ruined by the head of a security firm Samuel S. Hinds who stole a security system that could have made Karloff millions. Hinds made the millions and Karloff and his daughter Jean Rogers barely scraped by.

Now he goes and does it again even buying off Karloff's lawyer. This time Boris ain't taking it lying down. He's invented an electronic box he calls his Night Key that allows him to bypass and have all kinds of fun with the security system he created for Hinds. His first trick is to let out petty crook Hobart Cavanaugh from the cell Hinds was holding him for the cops. That's a great sequence and thoroughly embarrassing to the man who made millions on Karloff's ideas.

Cavanaugh who made a career out of playing drunks attachés himself to Karloff like a puppy and promises to introduce him to some big time crooks. Alan Baxter certainly sees all kinds of possibilities here, but a life of crime isn't what Karloff had in mind.

Instead of being a monstrously evil man Boris is a gentle old soul who just wants what is due him. There's also a reason behind what Hinds is doing to ruin Karloff at every opportunity, it's more than capitalistic greed.

Karloff is not frightening anyone in this film. Night Key even has a happy ending. Not too many Karloff films have that for him.

Watch NIGHT KEY

[tarwaterthomas · 8/10 · 23 March 2017]

I just got through watching NIGHT KEY over the weekend and remembered why Boris Karloff was one of the top actors during Hollywood's Golden Age. Not only could he do horror with one hand tied behind his back just to make it fair to other actors, he could do mainstream and action fare as well. NIGHT KEY can be seen today as an ancestor to all those high-tech epics that we've seen these days. It's time to scope out NIGHT KEY. It is included in a five-movie DVD collection, but worth the trouble. That's all.

Night Key

[Scarecrow-88 · 6/10 · 29 July 2011]

Despite the casting of Boris Karloff in the lead, "Night Key" isn't a horror flick or chiller even though the studios which produced the film is Universal. "Night Key" is essentially a crime noir with a little science fiction added to the mix to give it flavor. Even the science fiction of the film is minor—Karloff is a poor and victimized genius inventor whose "protection system" was basically swindled by an underhanded businessman, Steven Ranger (Samuel S Hinds), who "stole the patent" through chicanery (however, "legal" in terms of a tricky contract). David Mallory (Karloff) has invented a new protection system, but this time wants 50% of the profits and his name on the invention. When the contract has a flaw that Mallory signs (his lawyer is crooked and allows Ranger to get away with a loophole which doesn't have a time period for installing the new system if he doesn't want to, just using the contract as a weapon against Mallory), the scorned inventor will use a "night key", a device which sets off the alarms of Ranger's protection system. It's the perfect revenge really: Mallory invented the first protection system, knows every nook and cranny, and can exploit its flaws. But when a kingpin, "The Kid" (Alan Baxter, icy cold, in delivery and demeanor), reads of Mallory's activity in the papers, having used his device to break into places (without stealing anything) to prove a point about the flaws in Ranger's protection system, he will use whatever methods to secure the night key so he can rob areas for loot. One of Mallory's problems is a petty thief (and not a very good one at that) he looses from prison with his night key, Petty Louie (Hobart Cavanaugh, used for comedy relief, as well as, a foil for The Kid to use against Mallory and others) and helps him with entering places throughout the city—the two also play around in the stores they enter such as setting up ticking clocks to chime in unison and leaving opened umbrellas. Louie, though, is known by all the criminals in the city, especially The Kid, so Mallory's association with him causes unneeded complications. Jean Rogers is Karloff's daughter, Joan, and Warren Hull is a member of the Ranger protection service, Jim Travers, who takes a shine to her while tailing her, hoping Mallory will turn up. Karloff, wearing makeup and costumed as a much older man, is the perfect sympathetic figure for an audience because he is the victim of corrupt business practices and forced into a nefarious association with The Kid against his will. The screenplay even includes worsening eye sight for Mallory to further add suffering to the character. The Kid takes advantage of this weakness as does Ranger (the contract signing, the fine writing which would perhaps escape the bad eyesight of Mallory) so the film builds up the Mallory character as constantly abused. Mallory is kind, soft-spoken, and principled, so when he is mistreated by the treacherous Ranger, and kidnapped by The Kid, he's a genuine tragic hero you can get behind. Ward Bond, of all people, has an early part as a member of the Kid's gang of hoods. Predictable—even the blossoming romance between Jim and Joan is telegraphed in the usual fashion we are accustomed to seeing in films like "Night Key"—and rather average noirish crime feature benefits from Karloff's presence and lovable character. Hinds, in an atypical change-of-pace role, is crafty and sneaky, that is until his protection system's weaknesses are exploited and he must address the conniving ways he tricked Mallory, perhaps having to make amends for his actions. Karloff, I imagine, probably thought this was a relief from the usual horror roles he normally would (and later) portray.

A Light-Weight Crime Thriller

[LanceBrave · 6/10 · 1 December 2013]

On my quest through the Classic Universal Horror Cannon, I've encounter many a film that isn't actually a horror movie, despite macabre advertising. This is one of those film. Curses. It's sort of weird to see Karloff playing a normal middle-age guy one year before in "The Invisible Ray," and then see him as what was the first of many old man parts the next year in this film. "Night Key" is a light-weight crime thriller with heavy comedic vibes and a vaguely sci-fi MacGuffin. Karloff plays the inventor of security systems who has spent fifteen years perfecting a new device, with the goal of selling it to a security company for big bucks, so he and his daughter can be set for life. Instead, the security company decides to sit on the patent. Karloff, teaming with a petty thief, decides to use his master key to cause a series of mischievous break-ins, as revenge. Naturally, things get complicated and a crime boss blackmails Karloff into using his key for real bank robberies.

"Night Key" rolls along at a decent pace. Karloff is as good as ever, playing a character who comes off as extremely naïve at times. He has good chemistry with Jean Rogers, as his daughter. She gets a love interest in the form of a cop, Warren Hull. The romance isn't well developed but Hull is nice enough. Hobart Cavanaugh as Petty Louie, the thief Boris teams with, provides most of the movie's humor, especially his confusion at his partner's good-nature pranks. Alan Baxter is the serious villain of the film, a monotone-voiced, appropriately threatening crime boss. You won't loose too much during the 67 minutes it takes to watch "Night Key," even if you could maybe use that time better, especially if you're looking for a horror movie.

AN OLD DOUBLE BILL DRIVE IN MOVIE, AND STILL GOOD.

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 3 November 2021]

The kind of movie designed for families back in the day, complete with a rumble seat! Not a horror film, even though Boris Karloff starred, but a neat crime caper, with a touch of sci fi.

Karloff plays Dave Mallory, an elderly inventor who is kidnapped by a gang of thieves, who can use his electric eye security system to rob businesses. The dirty rats even steal his eye glasses! Interestingly, this role may have lead to him being cast in a series of B horror films for Columbia Pictures, generally playing a gray-haired scientist on the verge of a major discovery. Warren Hull (as a security guard) and beautiful Jean Rogers (as Karloff's daughter) team up to save him and the day!

A well written B film, similar to the type entertainment Warner Brothers was churning out at the time, though this was produced at Universal, and with some fun supporting actors. Hobart Cavanaugh (as Petty Louie) is hilarious, playing a not too bright pickpocket who becomes Karloff's new BFF, while Alan Baxter plays the smooth talking head of the crime ring. Ward Bond in an early role as one of the tough talking thugs along for the ride.

There's also some clever electric gadgetry involving the revolutionary alarm and a good chase sequence, in between Hull and Rogers getting to know each other. Watch for the scene where the gangsters' long sedan is rolled into a waiting moving van. Pretty clever getaway, and they almost make it.

A fast-paced, fun oldie that has been a rerun fave for decades, usually on the late, late show. Universal has released this film in a nice box set, "The Boris Karloff Collection," along with TOWER OF LONDON, THE CLIMAX, THE STRANGE DOOR and THE BLACK CASTLE. 3 dvds. Released 2008.

Very good minor Karloff vehicle

[mackjay2 · 8/10 · 11 March 2020]

Highly enjoyable B-picture with a good cast, humor and excitement. Boris Karloff is Dave Mallory, an inventor-genius responsible for a clever alarm system. An old associate who had cheated him in the past is up to the same tricks, attempting to steal his latest ideas. It looks like it's going to work until a security guard who's interested in Mallory's daughter manages to foil the old guy's plot and that of a gang led by a scoundrel called "The Kid". A perfect example of the economic second feature, balancing an intriguing plot with a romantic subplot that's never over-played. Karloff is great and very sympathetic. With standouts Warren Hull, Samuel S. Hinds, Ward Bond and Alan Baxter as "The Kid". One of best of several minor films from Hollywood's no-horror period with Karloff in the lead.