A Voice in the Night (1946)
"Wanted for Murder" (original title)

The son of a Victorian hangman is driven insane by thoughts of his father's profession. The young man emulates his father by strangling young women. He then meets and falls in love with a ... See full summary »

Director:

Lawrence Huntington

Writers:

Percy Robinson (stage play), Terence de Marney (stage play),

Stars:

Eric Portman, Dulcie Gray, Derek Farr

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eric Portman	...	Victor James Colebrooke, alias Tom Maren
Dulcie Gray	...	Anne Fielding
Derek Farr	...	Jack Williams
Roland Culver	...	Chief Insp. Conway
Stanley Holloway	...	Sgt. Sullivan
Barbara Everest	...	Mrs. Colebrooke
Bonar Colleano	...	Cpl. Nick Mappolo
Jenny Laird	...	Jeannie McLaren
Kathleen Harrison	...	Florrie
Bill Shine	...	Det. Ellis
Viola Lyel	...	Mabel Cooper
John Salew	...	Det. Walters
John Ruddock	...	Glover
Edna Wood	...	Miss Kemp
George Carney	...	Boat Rental Agent

Storyline

The son of a Victorian hangman is driven insane by thoughts of his father's profession. The young man emulates his father by strangling young women. He then meets and falls in love with a woman but can he suppress his urge to kill her ?

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Plot Keywords:

amusement park | wax museum | british noir | serial killer | based on play

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 1946 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Voice in the Night

Filming Locations:

Hampstead Fairground, Hampstead Heath, Hampstead, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marcel Hellman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

After a handkerchief is discovered near a murder victim, an inspector from Scotland Yard tries to track down the owner via the laundry mark on it. The next scene shows a commercial laundryman carrying a wicker laundry basket into a home. Outside the home, the laundry basket bears the number "T 31". Upon entering the home the laundry basket bears the number "T 14".

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Soundtracks

"A Voice in the Night"
Lyrics by Mischa Spoliansky
Music by Mischa Spoliansky (uncredited)
Sung by Elizabeth Webb

User Reviews

Marvelous British Suspense Film

Don't be put off by the generic title. This is a film of subtlety and grace.

Eric Portman is perfect as the troubled protagonist. Dulcie Gray enchants as the vulnerable yet strong-willed heroine. And the supporting cast is uniformly excellent.

This is a variation on the Jack the Ripper theme. Someone is strangling young women, sending notes to Scotland Yard in advance. Ronald Culver is absolutely right as the chief inspector on the case.

The psychology may be painted with slightly broad strokes. But the acting elevate that: The pain felt by all concerned is palpable. We do not admire the killer but we have understanding of the person's behavior. The victims and would-be victims are touching. And the attempts by secondary characters to help are persuasive and upsetting to us.