One New York Night (1935) User Reviews

Who Ordered The Corpse?

[boblipton · 6/10 · 28 April 2020]

Western rancher Franchot Tone is staying at a fancy New York hotel so he can hunt for a wife. He is distracted by Manhattan zanies, a corpse, and switchboard operator Una Merkel.

It's a nicely done mystery programmer directed by stalwart Jack Conway. Una Merkel makes up more than half the show, with her kindly, mousy character, anxious to do well by the nice people like Countess Steffi Duna, and keep men's lecherous hands off her. Although clearly shot for efficiency rather than glamor, MGM's gloss in well in evidence with a a large cast that includes third-billed Conrad Nagel, and extras like Ward Bond and Dennis O'Keefe.

Why didn't SOMEONE call the police???

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 21 August 2020]

The plot to "One New York Night" simply doesn't make any sense...repeatedly. This is odd because the film was from MGM and usually this studio produced better stuff than this!

The story is set in a New York hotel. The oddly named 'Foxhall' (Franchot Tone) has checked in to the place and tells the desk man that he's going to get married. To whom, he's asked....and Foxhall hasn't yet picked anyone!! Then, he makes some phone calls to some old girlfriends...and he learns they are all married. So, he starts looking for someone to marry in the hotel!! Huh????

Later, Foxhall contacts the manager--telling him that he's discovered a dead body in the adjoining room. But, instead of taking it seriously, the manager does everything to convince Foxhall nothing has happened. Now what would a NORMAL person do in this situation? They'd phone for the police! But despite this and MUCH more to follow, Foxhall investigates on his own...along with help from the hotel operator (Una Merkel)! Does this make any sense? No...especially after Foxhall is attacked....yet he still doesn't call for the police. After all...he's working with the operator...and she knows a bit about how to phone people!!!

If none of this makes sense, well there's MORE than makes no sense...such as the operator and Foxhall helping a Russian woman who may have been the killer! And, when a guy tries to shoot Foxhall, he STILL doesn't call for the police!!! The bottom line is that MGM should have been ashamed of themselves with this one. Decent actors and production values...but a script that is sloppy, stupid and requires the audience to turn off their brains in order to enjoy the movie. It's certainly NOT a high point in MGM's stellar history as a movie company.