Fear in the Night (1947)
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39% of users liked it
(648 ratings)
One of several low-budget mellers directed by scriptwriter Maxwell Shane, Fear in the Night was based on the short story Nightmare by William Irish (pseudonym for Cornell Woolrich). In his first starring role, DeForest Kelley plays Vince Grayson, a young man who has a terrible nightmare wherein he… More One of several low-budget mellers directed by scriptwriter Maxwell Shane, Fear in the Night was based on the short story Nightmare by William Irish (pseudonym for Cornell Woolrich). In his first starring role, DeForest Kelley plays Vince Grayson, a young man who has a terrible nightmare wherein he sees himself killing someone. When he awakens, Vince finds a couple of pieces of evidence indicating that his dream was no dream. Detective Cliff Herlihy (Paul Kelly) doesn't believe that Vince has killed anyone, but agrees to investigate. While taking shelter from a storm in a remote mansion, the detective and the young man stumble upon a mirrored room -- just like the one in Vince's dream. The frenzied Vince is nearly driven to suicide, but Detective Herlihy deduces that his friend's nightmare was the handiwork of Lewis Belnap (Robert Emmett Keane), the mansion's owner, who is a dabbler in hypnosis. Fear in the Night was remade in 1956 as Nightmare, with Kevin McCarthy and Edward G. Robinson. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Maxwell Shane
- Written By
- Maxwell Shane
- Genres
- Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1947 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An excellent low-budget psychological thriller.
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Cast
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Paul Kelly
as Cliff Herlihy
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DeForest Kelley
as Vince Grayson
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Ann Doran
as Lil Herlihy
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Kay Scott
as Betty Winters
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Robert Emmett Keane
as Lewis Belnap
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Charles Victor
as Capt. Warner
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Gladys Blake
as Bank Clerk
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Chris Drake
as Elevator Operator
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Stanley Farrar
as Patron
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Julia Faye
as Mrs. Tracey-Lytton
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John Harmon
as Mr. Bilyou
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Michael Martin Harvey
as Bob Clune
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Dick Keane
as Lewis Belknap
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Joey Ray
as Contractor
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Janet Warren
as Mrs. Belnap
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Jeff York
as Torrence
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Leander De Cordova
as Man
- Jack Collins