Night Monster is an American horror film of the supernatural thriller and mystery subgenres. It was directed by Ford Beebe and written by Clarence Upson Young. The movie was produced by Universal Pictures and released theatrically in the United States on October 20th, 1942. The movie stars Ralph Morgan as paraplegic homeowner Kurt Ingston, who brings together a gathering of individuals to his estate, where he secretly plots to avenge himself against them for his current condition. The movie also stars Bela Lugosi as the butler Rolf, Lionel Atwill as Doctor King, Irene Hervey as Doctor Lynn Harper, Leif Erickson as Laurie, Don Porter as Dick Baldwin and Nils Asther as Agor Singh.
Universal Pictures wanted top genre talent for the marquee, so they cast actors Bela Lugosi and Lionel Atwill. Both of whom receive top billing, but actually play minor roles in the film.
On the movie review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes, Night Monster holds a 60% Fresh Tomatometer rating based on five critic reviews. It has an audience score of 28% based on more than 50+ ratings.
The score to this film is comprised of stock audio tracks used in many Universal Monsters films. Original music was composed by Hans Salter and Frank Skinner. The scene where the killer attempts to strangle Dick Baldwin is taken from The Wolf Man
All of the murders in this film take place off-screen. In most cases, only the hand of a body is shown.
Actor Nils Asther, who plays Agor Singh, is actually a Dane, not Hindu. This is his only work in the horror genre.
Actress Fay Helm is the last member of the film cast to pass away. She died in Santa Monica, California on September 27th, 2003 at the age of 94. She is also the oldest cast member from the film to have died.
Unanswered questions[]
The exact setting of this film is unknown. It presumably takes place somewhere in the United States, given the American accents of most of the cast members.
Whatever happened to Rolf and Torque? Torque was likely outside the towers during the blaze, but Rolf was still inside. Did Rolf die in the fire?
What exactly comprises the killer's hands and feet at the end of this film? It is said that he uses mechanical prosthetics, but they are clearly monstrous appendages that were taken from... somewhere.
