Under Cover of Night

MGM crime tended to be classy, and George B. Seitz’s Under Cover of Night is a fine, early example. Visually darker and more atmospheric than most studio mysteries at this time, the film presents a challenge for animal lovers early in the film when a nasty crime against a dog shocks the system. The animal-abusing scumbag is bitter scientist Marvin Griswald (the magnificent Henry Daniell), who is not only having an extramarital affair with his pretty laboratory assistant (Marla Shelton) but is also taking all the credit for the scientific formulas discovered by his ailing wife Janet (Sara Haden). His only option, of course, is uxoricide. With Janet out of the way, Griswald embarks on a search for the notebook containing her formulas, which entangles him in another murder under investigation by Detective Christopher Cross (Edmund Lowe), who, along with his love interest Deb (Florence Rise), begins to connect the dots. For a short film, the plot is dense, and the characters are numerous, but the pacing keeps it all manageable and entertaining. For those so inclined, the film also lends itself to rich, feminist interpretations: a man stealing a woman’s intelligence and killing her rather than giving her credit? Nat Pendleton is also on hand as a dopey but lovable police officer who sounds like he has rocks in his mouth.