London After Midnight Page #4

Synopsis: When Roger Balfour is found shot dead in his London home, his death is declared a suicide by Inspector Burke of Scotland Yard, even though the executor of Balfour's estate, Sir James Hamlin, insists his friend never would have taken his own life. Five years later, the abandoned Balfour house comes to life again with the arrival of two sinister-looking tenants: a fiendish-looking man with pointed teeth, bulging eyes and a tall beaver hat, and a pale young woman in a long gown. The presence of the strangers prompts Sir James, who lives next door, to call in Inspector Burke again. Also living in the Hamlin household are the other people who were also present in Balfour's house the night he died: Sir James' nephew, Arthur Hibbs; the late Balfour's now-grown daughter, Lucille; and Williams, the butler. Burke expresses skepticism about Sir James' suspicions that the new neighbors might have been involved in Balfour's death, until strange things start happening: Balfour's body disappears from
Genre: Horror
Director(s): Tod Browning
Production: MGM
 
IMDB:
6.9
PASSED
Year:
1927
69 min
2,833 Views


TITLE:

"I told him, sir, you'd make

no repairs."

CUT FROM TITLE TO:

58

INT. LIBRARY (NIGHT) CLOSE SHOT

At desk, as the agent finishes title. Sir James nods that

that was the right thing to do. Now, with the lease

unfolded, he scans down it with a business-like eye.

Suddenly he frowns, staring in astonishment down at the

document.

INSERT:

Signature on lease:

ROGER BALFOUR:

CUT FROM INSERT TO:

59

INT. LIBRARY (NIGHT) CLOSE UP

Sir James, staring down at the signature. He looks up, his

lips forming the name: "Roger Balfour!" He looks up slowly.

Then, indicating the signature with a forefinger, he says,

slowly:

TITLE:

"This is the name of the man

who committed suicide in that

house five years ago!"

BACK TO SCENE:
He finishes title, in awe and wonder.

60

INT. LIBRARY (NIGHT) CLOSE UP SHOT

The two agents, staring in astonishment.

61

INT. LIBRARY (NIGHT) CLOSE UP

Hibbs, the secretary, as he says, involuntarily:

TITLE:

"Lucy's father!"

CUT FROM TITLE TO:

62

INT. LIBRARY NIGHT MED. SHOT

of group as they stare at each other.

63

INT. HAMLIN HALL NIGHT CLOSE SHOT

At front door. The butler is opening the door. Burke of

Scotland Yard, with a bag, stands there.

TITLE:

"Tell Sir James an old friend --

just back from India -- has come

to visit him."

BACK TO SCENE:
Burke comes in; The butler closes the door

and exits toward the library.

64

INT. LIBRARY NIGHT SEMI FULL SHOT

The group as before. The butler, stepping in from the

entrance hall, gives Sir James the Message. "An old

friend?" Sir James says, trying to recall who it might be;

and then, "Show him in." The butler exits. After a moment

he returns with Burke. Sir James rises from the desk. They

stand looking at each other for a moment, then Sir James

comes forward and they greet each other with the warmth and

cordiality of old friends long parted. Sir James then turns

to the others and says:

TITLE:

"Colonel Yates, gentlemen"

CUT FROM TITLE TO:

65

INT. LIBRARY NIGHT MED. SHOT

of group as Sir James finishes title. The introduction is

acknowledged with a bow, in which Burke allows his gaze to

rest in rather long scrutiny on Hibbs, the secretary, so

that the young man is beginning to be uncomfortable. Sir

James, picking up the lease, turns with it to Burke, with

a return of his excitement of a moment ago.

66

INT. LIBRARY NIGHT CLOSE SHOT

Sir James and Burke, as Sir James tells him swiftly of the

name signed to the lease. Burke smiles dryly and says:

TITLE:

"A coincidence, Sir James -- it

could be nothing more."

BACK TO SCENE:
This is what Sir James wants to believe and

is relieved when Burke says it. Burke turns to the two

agents out of scene and says:

TITLE:

"I knew Roger Balfour well.

What did this man look like?"

CUT FROM TITLE TO:

67

INT. LIBRARY NIGHT CLOSE SHOT

Group as Burke finishes question. The two agents exchange a

look. Then one of them says:

TITLE:

"That's hard to say, sir.

There was something weird about

him -- that made you feel creepy --"

CUT FROM TITLE TO:

68

INT. LIBRARY NIGHT CLOSE UP

The two agents as the first one finishes title in awe. The

other one goes on:

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Waldemar Young

Waldemar Young (July 1, 1878 – August 30, 1938) was an American screenwriter. He wrote for 81 films between 1917 and 1938. more…

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Submitted on May 15, 2017

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