The Unholy Night

19291929
PassedPassed
1h 34min

Dorothy Sebastian and Roland Young in The Unholy Night (1929)

Mystery Thriller

On a dark foggy London night, someone tries to strangle Lord Montague, but he escapes. Only to discover the four other men who did get killed were old regimental comrades in Gallipoli. When ... Read allOn a dark foggy London night, someone tries to strangle Lord Montague, but he escapes. Only to discover the four other men who did get killed were old regimental comrades in Gallipoli. When Scotland Yard gets Monty to gather the other nine surviving officers at his home, one of t... Read allOn a dark foggy London night, someone tries to strangle Lord Montague, but he escapes. Only to discover the four other men who did get killed were old regimental comrades in Gallipoli. When Scotland Yard gets Monty to gather the other nine surviving officers at his home, one of them is murdered, and no one else has entered the house. Now, they must determine who the m... Read all

Director
- Lionel Barrymore
Writers
- Ben Hecht(story)
- Edwin Justus Mayer(screen play)
- Dorothy Farnum(adaptation)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See production, box office & company info

See production, box office & company info

Gerald Barry, Lionel Belmore, John Loder, John Miljan, Natalie Moorhead, John Roche, Philip Strange, Ernest Torrence, Richard Travers, Richard Tucker, and Roland Young in The Unholy Night (1929)

Claude Fleming, John Miljan, Natalie Moorhead, Dorothy Sebastian, Ernest Torrence, and Roland Young in The Unholy Night (1929)

The Unholy Night (1929)

George Cooper and Dorothy Sebastian in The Unholy Night (1929)

John Miljan and Dorothy Sebastian in The Unholy Night (1929)

Boris Karloff and Dorothy Sebastian in The Unholy Night (1929)

Boris Karloff and Dorothy Sebastian in The Unholy Night (1929)

Natalie Moorhead and Ernest Torrence in The Unholy Night (1929)

Dorothy Sebastian, Ernest Torrence, and Roland Young in The Unholy Night (1929)

Ernest Torrence

Dr. Ballouas Dr. Ballou

Lord Montagueas Lord Montague

Dorothy Sebastian

Lady Efra Cavendaras Lady Efra Cavendar

Natalie Moorhead

Lady Violet Montagueas Lady Violet Montague

The Butleras The Butler

Polly - the Maidas Polly - the Maid

Frey - Lord Montague's Orderlyas Frey - Lord Montague's Orderly

Sôjin Kamiyama

The Mysticas The Mystic
(as Sojin)

Sir James Rumseyas Sir James Rumsey

Clarence Geldert

Inspector Lewisas Inspector Lewis

Major Malloryas Major Mallory

Col. Davidsonas Col. Davidson

Capt. Dorchesteras Capt. Dorchester

Lieut. Williamsas Lieut. Williams

Lieut. Savoras Lieut. Savor

Major Endicottas Major Endicott

Capt. Bradleyas Capt. Bradley

Richard Travers

Major McDougalas Major McDougal

Director
- Lionel Barrymore
Writers
- Ben Hecht(story)
- Edwin Justus Mayer(screen play)
- Dorothy Farnum(adaptation)
All cast & crew

See production, box office, & company info

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On a dark foggy London night, someone tries to strangle Lord Montague, but he escapes. Only to discover the four other men who did get killed were old regimental comrades in Gallipoli. When Scotland Yard gets Monty to gather the other nine surviving officers at his home, one of them is murdered, and no one else has entered the house. Now, they must determine who the murderer is. —Kathy Li

disabled butler chinese medium green ghost more than one murder more than one seance 50 more

Taglines
- All Talking Thrilling Mystery Marvel
Genres
- Mystery
- Thriller
Certificate
- Passed
Parents guide
- Add content advisory

Trivia
For reasons known only to MGM, Boris Karloff, prominently featured in a key supporting role, is not credited on screen, but his name is more sensibly listed in ninth credited position in the Variety review of 16 October 1929. The likeliest explanation is that all the actors are billed according to their respective "groups," but since Karloff was not in any of them, he was simply overlooked when the credits were being prepared.

Quotes
Lord 'Monte' Montague: You see, our family never have ideas; that's why they're so successful in politics, I suppose.

Crazy credits
[preface] The amazing revelations pictured here are compiled from one the most sensational murder cases on police record. The rare psychosis of the crime and the method of its exposure are stranger than fiction.....because they are true!

Alternate versions
This film was also released in a silent version.

Connections
Alternate-language version of Le spectre vert (1930)

Soundtracks
Auld Lang Syne
(1788) (uncredited)
Traditional Scottish 17th century music
Lyrics by Robert Burns
Sung a cappella by the men of the regiment three times and at the seance

Top review

6/10

Talky but entertaining old-dark-house whodunit

This is one of the earliest talkie whodunits; it still holds up quite well. It has a clever plot (sort of a precursor to Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None"), some impressive tracking shots, and a striking séance climax. Dorothy Sebastian is hot; Boris Karloff (in a thankfully, in this case, minor role) is ridiculously hammy; the rest of the cast is fine, if not terribly distinctive. **1/2 out of 4.

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gridoon2021
Jun 1, 2021

Release date
- September 14, 1929 (United States)
Country of origin
- United States
Language
- English
Also known as
- Regiment of Doom
Filming locations
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
Production company
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Runtime
- 1h 34min
Color
- Black and White
Aspect ratio
- 1.20 : 1

Dorothy Sebastian and Roland Young in The Unholy Night (1929)

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