Night Life of the Gods (1935)

A scientist named Hunter Hawk invents a device that can turn flesh to stone. While celebrating his discovery he becomes involved with a half naked leprechaun. On a trip to New York, Hunter ... See full summary »

Director:

Lowell Sherman

Writers:

Thorne Smith (novel), Barry Trivers

Stars:

Alan Mowbray, Florine McKinney, Peggy Shannon

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Mowbray	...	Hunter Hawk
Florine McKinney	...	Meg
Peggy Shannon	...	Daphne Lambert
Richard Carle	...	Grandpa Lambert
Theresa Maxwell Conover	...	Alice Lambert
Phillips Smalley	...	Alfred Lambert
Wesley Barry	...	Alfred Lambert, Jr.
Gilbert Emery	...	Betts
Ferdinand Gottschalk	...	Old Man Turner
Douglas Fowley	...	Cyril Sparks
William 'Stage' Boyd	...	Mulligan
Henry Armetta	...	Roigi
Arlene Carroll	...	Stella
Ray Corrigan	...	Apollo (as Raymond Benard)
George Hassell	...	Bacchus

Storyline

A scientist named Hunter Hawk invents a device that can turn flesh to stone. While celebrating his discovery he becomes involved with a half naked leprechaun. On a trip to New York, Hunter and Meg (the leprechaun) decide to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and turn all of the Statues of Greek Gods into people. What follows in a drunken romp around New York with Medusa's severed head still in Perseus' hand.

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Plot Keywords:

leprechaun | medusa | mythological | turned to stone | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

IT BURSTS THE HEAVENS OPEN with LAUGHTER! (Print Ad-Washington Reporter, ((Washington, Penna.)) 1 October 1935)

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

[Foreword] Once upon a time, a famous author named Thorne Smith wrote a book, conceived in a moment of delirium, and written in a cuckoo clock, the first chapters convinced us He was crazy. The ensuing left no doubt that possibly WE were. So we leave you to enjoy this new and completely mad type of whimsical humor on the screen.

Stop rattling cellophane! Take Sonny's shoes off! Park your gum under the seat where it belongs, and let's all go crazy together.

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Quotes

Hunter Hawk: Fugitives should be alone. That's what makes them fugitives.

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Connections

Referenced in Night Life of the Bugs (1936)

User Reviews

Thorne Smith can do no wrong

Thorne Smith wrote some of the funniest and most risqué books of the era which my mother introduced her kids to in the 70's. We watched 'I married a Witch' (which is now available on DVD - although I got my copy in Spain several years ago) and my mum told me that she'd seen Topper, Turnabout and that she'd heard that they had may have made Night Life of the Gods. The book rocks which is why I wanted to see the film.

The DVD of this movie took me two years to find and was so appalling in quality that I couldn't finish it - and I really did try. even in postage stamp format the picture was bad. Alas, 70 years of culture and a really bad print really mucks things up. This movie had the opportunity to be THE screwball comedy of all time, it had great lines,sex and all in a time of innocence, I really wish I could have seen if the movie had lived up to it. I guess if it had it might not be in such a sorry state.........

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 March 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Farra dos Deuses

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1