Director Robert Siodmak did an excellent job with this B thriller, which has some unusual plot twists and ideas in it. Richard Carlson is the lead, and he is extremely well-cast as an innocent and well-meaning bystander who becomes involved in complex intrigues which have nothing to do with him, gets accused of a murder he did not commit, and goes on the run to save his name. He meets the insouciant and charming Nancy Kelly, makes her help him at gunpoint, and they end up being forced to get married by a justice of the peace in order to avoid being killed by some heavies waiting outside with guns, which is certainly a new twist in story lines! The story concerns a new military invention called 'G-32', the secret of which the baddies want to steal. The film opens with the inventor's assistant escaping from a madhouse, where he has been incarcerated by the baddies, though we don't know at first that the man is not really a maniac on the run. He doesn't last long, but before he dies he has compromised poor Richard Carlson and enmeshed him in a web of plotting, spying, and murder. There is an amazing series of scenes where Carlson and Kelly leap from a speeding car onto an auto-carrier, catch a free ride, and then later unfasten the car and reverse it down the ramp while in motion on a highway, and escape in it. Those interested in stunts will be all agog at watching this. The film is good viewing and should be more widely available.
15 Reviews
Curious War-Time Noir - Definitely of Interest
secragt16 April 2009
Warning: Spoilers
It's getting to the point where I've seen most major (and readily available) noirs so I'm going back and mining the next layer of the batcave, seeking out hidden gems less well known. Fly-By-Night is a good example: a little-seen crime drama that might deserve another look. Is it a classic? Hell no. Does the plot hold together? Just barely. Is it entertaining and enjoyable? Thoroughly. Does it deserve consideration by noirists looking for something different? Surely.
Clearly influenced by the then-popular Hitchcock themes of "wrong man, wrong place" and "man on lam gets involved with gal and hatred / mistrust is ultimately replaced by love," FLY BY NIGHT struggles with logic but finds other virtues to cover motivational issues and credibility. In particular, the murder of the man accompanying the lead into the apartment is beyond preposterous, as is the doctor's (and police's) reaction to what follows. Fortunately, the film's breezy matter-of-fact approach to the ridiculous set-up keeps things moving and we slowly find ourselves involved in a compelling mystery despite the insanity of how things begin.
From there the movie takes interesting, unexpected turns and against odds often balances comedy and drama more effectively than a movie this obscure ought to. A surprising twist at the end tops things off and makes this an unexpectedly fun, if implausible, outing. Siodmak is to be commended for cobbling together a nice movie from some pieces that might not have looked as promising on paper. Doesn't hold up under close scrutiny, but this is quite fun and has some different angles than your garden variety noir.
Clearly influenced by the then-popular Hitchcock themes of "wrong man, wrong place" and "man on lam gets involved with gal and hatred / mistrust is ultimately replaced by love," FLY BY NIGHT struggles with logic but finds other virtues to cover motivational issues and credibility. In particular, the murder of the man accompanying the lead into the apartment is beyond preposterous, as is the doctor's (and police's) reaction to what follows. Fortunately, the film's breezy matter-of-fact approach to the ridiculous set-up keeps things moving and we slowly find ourselves involved in a compelling mystery despite the insanity of how things begin.
From there the movie takes interesting, unexpected turns and against odds often balances comedy and drama more effectively than a movie this obscure ought to. A surprising twist at the end tops things off and makes this an unexpectedly fun, if implausible, outing. Siodmak is to be commended for cobbling together a nice movie from some pieces that might not have looked as promising on paper. Doesn't hold up under close scrutiny, but this is quite fun and has some different angles than your garden variety noir.
Let's Have a Good Look At The Maguffin
boblipton13 December 2018
Doctor Richard Carlson is accosted by an escaped madman, babbling about a respected scientist, a train station check, and G-32. While Carlson is on the telephone, the man is knifed. Carlson tries to tend to him, but the police break in and are about to arrest him, when he goes out a window and winds up in Nancy Kelly's room.
Robert Siodmak's second American feature spends its first half looking like a tired retread of Hitchcock's THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS. I grumpily noted that Nancy Kelly comes to trust Carlson awfully rapidly and the humor is both more forced and mechanical; there's none of Robert Donat's loopy "How could this be happening to me?" humor. It's in the second half, when Carlson and Kelly are actually tracking down the Maguffin's mystery, that it goes off on its own track. At this point, the movie comes into its own, with a shocking denouement that renders it worthwhile.
Within a few years, Siodmak would be directing solid film noir movies. Given the Hitchcock background, one would think this would be an early film noir, but John Seitz' camerawork is far too American and brightly lit and cheery. When it came out, in January, there wasn't much of a noir impetus at Paramount. It wouldn't be until the fall, when Theodore Sparkuhl's camerawork on THE GLASS KEY showed that the company would produce a real noir.
Robert Siodmak's second American feature spends its first half looking like a tired retread of Hitchcock's THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS. I grumpily noted that Nancy Kelly comes to trust Carlson awfully rapidly and the humor is both more forced and mechanical; there's none of Robert Donat's loopy "How could this be happening to me?" humor. It's in the second half, when Carlson and Kelly are actually tracking down the Maguffin's mystery, that it goes off on its own track. At this point, the movie comes into its own, with a shocking denouement that renders it worthwhile.
Within a few years, Siodmak would be directing solid film noir movies. Given the Hitchcock background, one would think this would be an early film noir, but John Seitz' camerawork is far too American and brightly lit and cheery. When it came out, in January, there wasn't much of a noir impetus at Paramount. It wouldn't be until the fall, when Theodore Sparkuhl's camerawork on THE GLASS KEY showed that the company would produce a real noir.
Well-paced, atmospheric "B" thriller with a few surprises
barron-63 August 1999
Above-average Paramount "B" thriller from director Robert Siodmak. A few surprises (including an imaginative action sequence and a jolting revelation during a climatic confrontation) elevate a standard falsely-accused-man-on-the-lam plot. Well-paced and atmospheric.
A doctor ..and a fugitive!
dbdumonteil17 August 2020
More than "the thirty-nine steps" , Siodmak 's movie will remind you of another HItchcock's work ,"saboteur" ,released the same year ,starring Robert Cummings and Priscilla Lane whose characters are close to those of Richard Carlson and Nancy Kelly ;he's a fugitive ,chased by the strong arm of the law and she's dragged (reluctantly ) into the plot by him because "she can sketch a portrait of him,which would help the police".
The chase movie is not Siodmak's field: his is the gangsters saga ("the killers" "criss cross" with plenty of treasons ) or the psychological thriller ("the spiral staircase" "the dark mirror " "black angel" );but he pulls it off efficiently.
There's a lot a humor (the burning cigarettes,the fake wedding) ,plenty of suspense (the loony bin) and never a dull moment in this exciting man/woman hunt.
Of course the ending is exactly what you expect ,but it's the rule of the game.
The chase movie is not Siodmak's field: his is the gangsters saga ("the killers" "criss cross" with plenty of treasons ) or the psychological thriller ("the spiral staircase" "the dark mirror " "black angel" );but he pulls it off efficiently.
There's a lot a humor (the burning cigarettes,the fake wedding) ,plenty of suspense (the loony bin) and never a dull moment in this exciting man/woman hunt.
Of course the ending is exactly what you expect ,but it's the rule of the game.
Fairly well made rip-off of Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS, with humor touch
adrianovasconcelos25 December 2021
FLY BY NIGHT was made in 1942, shortly after the USA had joined WWII, and you keep getting messages about buying goods to support the war effort. That said, the action in the movie is as far removed from the war as a mouse from a cat.
Director Siodmak does a good job of keeping the action ticking despite a script that, for the first third, struck me as a clear rip-off of Alfred Hitckcock's THE 39 STEPS (UK 1935), and that includes surprisingly pleasant touches of humor, especially as the couple pretend to be married and see circumstances force them into marriage.
Carlson and Kelly make a handsome and likable leading duo, aided by a good if largely unknown support cast. Photography is of an acceptable standard.
This B pic deserves watching - short, breezy, sweet, no waste of time!
Director Siodmak does a good job of keeping the action ticking despite a script that, for the first third, struck me as a clear rip-off of Alfred Hitckcock's THE 39 STEPS (UK 1935), and that includes surprisingly pleasant touches of humor, especially as the couple pretend to be married and see circumstances force them into marriage.
Carlson and Kelly make a handsome and likable leading duo, aided by a good if largely unknown support cast. Photography is of an acceptable standard.
This B pic deserves watching - short, breezy, sweet, no waste of time!
"No wonder your pockets all bulge with all the junk you carry around in them."
utgard1413 April 2020
A 39 Steps clone but not a bad one by any means. Richard Carlson plays a doctor who finds himself on the run accused of murder, which leads to Nazi business of course because it's 1942. I believe the term often used in wrongfully accused stories is "through no fault of his own." Well that's not the case here. Carlson's character is a total idiot who makes one mistake after another. I don't blame the police for suspecting him. The guy was acting guilty as sin.
Despite the writing for him, Carlson does a fine job. He's a likable guy even when he's manhandling half-dressed women, waving guns around at people without provocation, or robbing a sweet old couple. The rest of the cast is even better. No, not Nancy Kelly. She's pretty bland. I mean the list of notable character actors in this - Walter Kingsford, Cy Kendall, Miles Mander, Martin Kosleck, Albert Bassermann among others. Robert Siodmak directs and does a fine job with one of his earliest American movies. There's one scene near the end where things get dark in a shocking way that really surprised me. It's a tease of what would come later with Siodmak's film noir successes.
Despite the writing for him, Carlson does a fine job. He's a likable guy even when he's manhandling half-dressed women, waving guns around at people without provocation, or robbing a sweet old couple. The rest of the cast is even better. No, not Nancy Kelly. She's pretty bland. I mean the list of notable character actors in this - Walter Kingsford, Cy Kendall, Miles Mander, Martin Kosleck, Albert Bassermann among others. Robert Siodmak directs and does a fine job with one of his earliest American movies. There's one scene near the end where things get dark in a shocking way that really surprised me. It's a tease of what would come later with Siodmak's film noir successes.
Found it again at last!!
dakota_linda16 January 2021
I fell in love with black and white films of the '30s and '40s when I was a young teenager, and I always remembered Fly by Night as one of my favorites. For years I couldn't find it, and I was so happy to discover it this weekend again. I'm a bit more discerning than I was at 10 or 11 (at least of old movies), so I recognize now that it's not Hitchcock-caliber. But I still found it delightful. Richard Carlson and Nancy Kelly are wonderfully matched. There is just the right amount of light tension, lots of action, and throughout, after the first scene, humor and sophistication and unexpected fun. I must say, this is in no way a film noir! It has none of the elements of noir --- no antihero with moral qualms, no "bad girl," and especially because it's much too lighthearted (the music with the ending credits makes that clear, if you aren't sure!). I've seen it referred to as a screwball comedy-mystery, but I wouldn't call it that, either. It's not screwball, just fun with mystery and actors who can pull it off. It's a frothy concoction, a cocktail with a scoop of ice cream and unexpected lingering flavors. (I couldn't otherwise have remembered it for decades!) It's an original.
Good dialog , interesting love scenes, and surprise ending
spiderlegs23 June 2005
Saw it when I was in high school and enjoyed the auto driving backwards off the auto-carrier. Am looking for a VHS or DVD copy. Any suggestions. I found out later that this picture was Nancy Kelly's first picture for Paramount. Also believe that Ms Kelly displayed her nice legs at least 2 times ,with Richard Carlson covering them up by pulling down her skirt, as she was lying ,havng fainted, on a couch. I think , if I remember correctly, that Richard Carlson, was a innocent man that got involved and could not help himself. Even though it was ab picture, the director gave it plenty of suspense and action. The best naturally, was the great ending. Naturally , it was a long time ago , but it made quite an impression on me,especially since it was during the War. As I said before , I would be happy to find even a good copy of this film.
A preposterous yet captivating B movie.
teachermarkthailand7 January 2022
Lots of superior, busy, jobbing actors and an excellent screenplay elevate an otherwise silly, farfetched yarn which has been told a thousand times before.
Chap goes on the run to clear his name and initially unenthusiastic girl gets roped in to help and everything works out in the end.
The chemistry between the leads is fun to watch and there are some laugh out loud moments even after eighty years. My favourite is the scene in the shrinks office, when the doctor has a fit when the shrink lights a match! There are other delicious comedic moments, too.
Despite the silliness, it's not a screwball comedy. Despite some deaths, it's not really a mystery thriller, either. It has a light touch of espionage, though.
Well worth a watch.
At this moment it's on YouTube under the heading 'Fly By Night (1942)'.
Chap goes on the run to clear his name and initially unenthusiastic girl gets roped in to help and everything works out in the end.
The chemistry between the leads is fun to watch and there are some laugh out loud moments even after eighty years. My favourite is the scene in the shrinks office, when the doctor has a fit when the shrink lights a match! There are other delicious comedic moments, too.
Despite the silliness, it's not a screwball comedy. Despite some deaths, it's not really a mystery thriller, either. It has a light touch of espionage, though.
Well worth a watch.
At this moment it's on YouTube under the heading 'Fly By Night (1942)'.
Entertaining AND stupid at the same time!
planktonrules1 April 2021
During WWII, most of the films coming out of Hollywood seemed to have a strong patriotic angle and many were about either the war or about Axis spies and the like. Some were very good,....many were very jingoistic and poorly written. "Fly-By-Night" is one of the latter films...a movie which entertained folks back in the day but which became very dated very quickly.
The film begins with an escaped mental patient sneaking into the car belonging to Dr. Burton (Richard Carlson). However, he turns out to be quite rational and was being held prisoner in a mental hospital run by Nazis! However, when the man is soon murdered, the police are quick to believe the Doctor did it and they ignore his pleas to investigate the hospital. So, he does something which no human being has ever done but which is COMMON in old B-movies....be pulls a gun on the cops and runs away in order to solve the case himself!! Talk about a B-movie cliche! What follows is predictable and a bit like a bad B-mystery combined with a WWII spy film and Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps". Silly writing make this a film that is easy to skip, even though the folks starring in it were pretty good and gave it their best. Filled with cliches and many plot holes and ridiculous characters....but also, in its own way, mildly entertaining as well.
The film begins with an escaped mental patient sneaking into the car belonging to Dr. Burton (Richard Carlson). However, he turns out to be quite rational and was being held prisoner in a mental hospital run by Nazis! However, when the man is soon murdered, the police are quick to believe the Doctor did it and they ignore his pleas to investigate the hospital. So, he does something which no human being has ever done but which is COMMON in old B-movies....be pulls a gun on the cops and runs away in order to solve the case himself!! Talk about a B-movie cliche! What follows is predictable and a bit like a bad B-mystery combined with a WWII spy film and Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps". Silly writing make this a film that is easy to skip, even though the folks starring in it were pretty good and gave it their best. Filled with cliches and many plot holes and ridiculous characters....but also, in its own way, mildly entertaining as well.
A doctor on the run for having had his unwanted patient killed, with any amount of complications...
clanciai1 July 2018
This was probably Robert Siodmak's first Hollywood feature, and it's an amazing picture full of innovations and surprises, the action never stops but constantly goes on in a frantic pace, and the ingenious story is overspiced with splendid good humour. It's a very dark noir indeed, a theme typical of Hitchcock's most exciting thrillers, and only the beginning sets you off att rocket speed into action, as a highstrung victim of some sort escapes from a mental asylum, runs into a doctor, stays with him and gets murdered at his place, while the doctor is convicted for the murder. The rest is a romantic nonstop escape together with a beautiful woman, an artist, who begins by betraying him... Robert Donat and Robert Cummings made many such roles, but here it is Richard Carlson together with Nancy Kelly.
When at last they find the real professor and he is brought to explain what the plot is all about, this results in a most unexpected high gear finale, worthy of Hitchcock's best. I loved this film, a rare treat, and a splendid entrance for Siodmak into Hollywood.
When at last they find the real professor and he is brought to explain what the plot is all about, this results in a most unexpected high gear finale, worthy of Hitchcock's best. I loved this film, a rare treat, and a splendid entrance for Siodmak into Hollywood.
Watch that cigarette!
AAdaSC21 October 2015
Young Doctor Richard Carlson (Geoffrey) is hijacked by an escapee from a mental hospital who hands him over a formula/plans for G-32. What is G-32? We found out in the end after an outrageous series of escapades.
The film keeps you watching with Nancy Kelly (Pat) excelling in her role as the pounced-upon innocent who is dragged into proceedings by Carlson. Mind you, Carlson is only reacting to circumstances that he is put into. The film suffers from too much comedy that isn't funny and ludicrous situations that defy belief. It's a watch-able film but things could have been better.
There are scenes that stand out such as the episode on the car-carrying lorry and the ending when the G-32 secret is revealed. However, set against this are idiot policemen, slapstick (yawn) and some try-hard comedy sequences that don't quite work.
Next time you smoke a cigarette in a car and flick the butt out of the window make sure it actually goes out of the window. That should be standard practise – obviously not for some a-holes like Richard Carlson.
The film keeps you watching with Nancy Kelly (Pat) excelling in her role as the pounced-upon innocent who is dragged into proceedings by Carlson. Mind you, Carlson is only reacting to circumstances that he is put into. The film suffers from too much comedy that isn't funny and ludicrous situations that defy belief. It's a watch-able film but things could have been better.
There are scenes that stand out such as the episode on the car-carrying lorry and the ending when the G-32 secret is revealed. However, set against this are idiot policemen, slapstick (yawn) and some try-hard comedy sequences that don't quite work.
Next time you smoke a cigarette in a car and flick the butt out of the window make sure it actually goes out of the window. That should be standard practise – obviously not for some a-holes like Richard Carlson.
A bit too breezy
bkoganbing18 September 2020
In Fly By Night Richard Carlson has the misfortune of meeting up with Martin
Kosleck who gets murdered and the police think Carlson did it. So Carlson flees
and in flight picks up Nancy Kelly.
It's all about a diabolical secret weapon that scientist Miles Mander invented which the Nazis who use an insane asylum as a front. Carlson is a fellow scientist and tries to rescue Mander whom he only knows by reputation. Not knowing nearly does Carlson and Kelly in.
Best part of the film is Mander turning the tables on head bad guy Albert Basserman and using his weapon on him. Won't say what it is, but if it was real whatever side had it would have won World War 2 in short order.
The film is breezy and fast and quite unreal. World War 2 propaganda flick that hasn't aged well.
It's all about a diabolical secret weapon that scientist Miles Mander invented which the Nazis who use an insane asylum as a front. Carlson is a fellow scientist and tries to rescue Mander whom he only knows by reputation. Not knowing nearly does Carlson and Kelly in.
Best part of the film is Mander turning the tables on head bad guy Albert Basserman and using his weapon on him. Won't say what it is, but if it was real whatever side had it would have won World War 2 in short order.
The film is breezy and fast and quite unreal. World War 2 propaganda flick that hasn't aged well.
Contemporary cars full, 'mistaken man' with his leggy moll, full of fun noir.
Bofsensai22 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
For a short running, quasi (intentional?) humour laden noir and barely disguised sexual smouldering*, this quickie 'innocent, mistaken man, who did it' is surprisingly raunchy fun to watch: full of daft dialogue and completely implausible situations and developments, the four - (four! It only runs just over an hour!) - writers were clearly Hitchcock fans - (or plagiarists!) - but the absurd boy meets gal debacles this pair are scripted to get into here are amusingly raunchy: largely unknown leggy - (Siodmak seemed to want to display so - at least twice!) - dark-maned beauty, Nancy Kelly, comes across not only as, well, most comely, but also as an alluring wise cracking catch - (Plot spoiler coming - they get 'married'!). Some of the scrapes the two get into (let alone first meeting - she's only in her 'nightie'!) are preposterous - but complete fun. Most of the supporting players seem to clearly know, too, they were cast in throwaway piffle, so play to make it even more amusing to sit through its gaping plot implausibilities.
And the superb surprise ending is worth waiting for, for its in ya face (literally!) era's (second world war) contemporary fears - and hopes, as it were.
But, actually, the reason to be adding this into amongst the others here that review its plot and pacing well, is really to recommend it highly if you are a thirties U. S. auto fan alone, as during its short duration this is fabulous for being full of all types of them - including the surely one off car transporter stunning (for its time) stunt: (the Wachowski siblings must surely have seen this - Matrix 2?!)
Overall, giving a thoroughly worthy run for its money to any contemporary to era, Bogart Bacall and the likes, noir.
* Literally so, for the 'sat (butt) on ya ciggy butt' scene!
And the superb surprise ending is worth waiting for, for its in ya face (literally!) era's (second world war) contemporary fears - and hopes, as it were.
But, actually, the reason to be adding this into amongst the others here that review its plot and pacing well, is really to recommend it highly if you are a thirties U. S. auto fan alone, as during its short duration this is fabulous for being full of all types of them - including the surely one off car transporter stunning (for its time) stunt: (the Wachowski siblings must surely have seen this - Matrix 2?!)
Overall, giving a thoroughly worthy run for its money to any contemporary to era, Bogart Bacall and the likes, noir.
* Literally so, for the 'sat (butt) on ya ciggy butt' scene!
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