A SHRIEK IN THE NIGHT

Cinemavixion Review

"A Shriek in the Night" emerges as a surprisingly sprightly early talkie, blending crime, mystery, and a dash of romance with an unexpected comedic flair. Directed by Albert Ray, the film features a spirited performance from Ginger Rogers, alongside Lyle Talbot, as rival reporters thrown together by a series of murders in an apartment building. While the production hails from M.H. Hoffman Inc., a company known for its budget approach, the screenplay, penned in part by Frances Hyland—a pioneering female writer at Universal Studios—lends the narrative an engaging pace and wit. The film successfully juggles its genre elements, offering moments of genuine suspense punctuated by lighthearted banter. Its charm lies in its earnest attempt to deliver thrills and laughs, making it a noteworthy, if modest, entry in the crime-mystery canon of the era.