One Frightened Night

One Frightened Night is a 1935 classic movie directed by pioneering early film director Christy Cabanne. The film is predominantly styled in an Old Dark House mystery genre with elements from both horror and comedy. The cast features stars of the time like Charley Grapewin, Mary Carlisle, and Arthur Hohl.

In One Frightened Night, Grapewin performs in the primary role as the eccentric millionaire, Jasper Whyte. Looking weary and disillusioned with life, Whyte carries a heavy burden of disappointment towards his granddaughter and only kin, who left him years ago in search of a career in acting. Grapewin epitomizes the lonely and gruff, but sentimental old man brilliantly and delivers a spectacular performance.

The plot takes an interesting turn when Jasper decides to break free from his loneliness by unexpectedly announcing that he would bestow his fortune of $1,000,000 to any woman who can prove herself to be his long-lost granddaughter, Doris. The announcement leads to a fascinating turn of events that forms the crux of the movie.

Mary Carlisle, as the first so-called granddaughter, creates a convincing entry into the scene. Carlisle, known for her beauty and impressive emotive skills, portrays an instant air of authenticity to her claim that makes everybody – including Jasper Whyte – believe her claim. However, the plot thickens when a second woman surfaces with an eerily similar claim. And so, the saga unfolds; two women, one fortune, and a house full of people lead to an intriguing game of wits and revelations.

Arthur Hohl’s character, the intelligent and observant Dr. Denham, adds yet another dimension to the entire scenario. Hohl skilfully oscillates between trustworthiness and suspicion, making the mystery all the more enigmatic.

Matters of monetary inheritance and familial ties are juxtaposed against a compelling murder investigation, lending the narrative a suspenseful tone. The movie intricately weaves the outlines of a horror story in the garb of a mystery tale, capitalizing on the eerie vibe of the mansion and its eclectic inhabitants. The film's setting, an isolated mansion on a stormy night, enhances the mood and atmosphere, creating an air of suspense and dread.

In the midst of this entire mystery, one cannot overlook the darling of the 30s, Lucien Littlefield. Littlefield, while playing the role of a detective, adds likely doses of comedic relief through his witty oneliners and quirky mannerisms that help to lighten the intense, stressful atmosphere.

One Frightened Night is a testament to the golden era of mystery-horror films. It combines the edgy suspense that characterizes classic mysteries with a unique blend of comedy and drama, wrapped together in a plot that takes a myriad of unexpected turns. It emphasizes the human propensity for greed and desperation, presenting it through a tangled web of lies, betrayal, and secret identities.

The cinematography and set design, despite the constraints of the era, manage to create a brooding ambiance that captures the essence of the mystery genre. Add to this, the performances by Charley Grapewin, Mary Carlisle, and Arthur Hohl, are entrancing enough to keep you hooked throughout the gripping saga.

Though it was made over 85 years ago, One Frightened Night still manages to capture the imagination with its blend of mystery, greed, comedy, and human nature. It is a movie that takes you back in time to the days of black and white cinema, and provides a taste of the true nuances of early Hollywood filmmaking.

For the lovers of classic Old Dark House mysteries, One Frightened Night is an absolute must-watch. It is a journey into an intriguing world of deception and detectives, mansions and mysteries, that, despite its age, does not fail to deliver an exemplary cinematic experience. Despite the changes in the landscape of cinema over the years, this film stands as an engaging piece of work that showcases the talent of the era and never fails to entertain.