The Hours Between (1931)
"24 Hours" (original title)

A nightclub singer is carrying on an affair with a married man. When she is found murdered, her lover is suspected of the crime.

Director:

Marion Gering

Writers:

Louis Weitzenkorn (screenplay), Louis Bromfield (novel),

Stars:

Clive Brook, Kay Francis, Miriam Hopkins

Cast

Cast overview:
Clive Brook	...	Jim Towner
Kay Francis	...	Fanny Towner
Miriam Hopkins	...	Rosie Duggan
Regis Toomey	...	Tony Bruzzi
George Barbier	...	Hector Champion
Adrienne Ames	...	Ruby Wintryingham
Minor Watson	...	David Melbourne
Charlotte Granville	...	Sairna Jerrold
Lucille La Verne	...	Mrs. Dacklehorse
Wade Boteler	...	Pat Healy
Bob Kortman	...	Dave the Slapper
Malcolm Waite	...	Murphy
Thomas E. Jackson	...	Police Commissioner

Storyline

A nightclub singer is carrying on an affair with a married man. When she is found murdered, her lover is suspected of the crime.

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Plot Keywords:

time for title | murder | based on novel | number in title

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 October 1931 (USA)

Also Known As:

24 Horas

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

66 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.

User Reviews

Excellent Miriam Hopkins Role

Superb precoder that floored me. Very adult and unrelenting story about an adulterous couple (Clive Brook, Kay Francis), a nightclub singer (Miriam Hopkins) and her murderous husband (Regis Toomey).

Set during a 24-hour period and starting during a snowy night in New York City, this film is a wonder. We see the snowy skyline as we enter a posh living room where Brook and stunning Francis are basically calling it quits. He's drunk but proper and she's feeling guilty. He walks out into the night and witnesses a sidewalk murder. He stops off for more drinks before going to see Hopkins--an amazing performance as Rosie the singer (and 2 terrific songs)--and having more drinks. After stalling her bum husband (Toomey) she takes Brook home and puts him to bed. But Toomey breaks in and accidentally kills her in a fit of jealousy.

Next morning Brook wakes up to a dead Hopkins and is arrested for murder. Francis reads about it in the morning papers (fast journalism!) and rushes to him just as the police are finishing grilling him. The film ends as the clock ticks off the 24th hour.....

Brook is subtle and effective (as always); Francis is effective and never looked better in her furs and jewels; Hopkins gives one of her very best performances as hapless Rosie, and Toomey is actually good as well. Co-stars include George Barbier, Adrienne Ames, Charlotte Granville, Wade Boteler, and a great turn by Lucille LaVerne.

What a gem this one is. No Hollywood apologies, no big changes for the better. They are who they are. The camera shots are excellent and the pacing is brisk. This one is a "must see."