Wilfred Prescott (Alfred Drayton) and his wife Hilda (Olga Lindo) live in a large home with their daughters Audrey (Gwyneth Vaughan) and Joyce (Beatrice Campbell). The oldest daughter, Joyce is engaged and is soon to marry Robert Ebury (Eric Micklewood). The younger daughter, Audrey, has been going through some growing pains and is having issues at school. The school principal arrives and tells the Prescotts that Audrey has been expelled.
Lately there have been some strange things going on in the house. There have been strange noises, things have been moved, coal is found strewn around the house and things have caught on fire. Recently one of the fires burned a hole in a bear skin rug. Hilda called the insurance company to get compensation for the ruined rug. The insurance company sends Joe Harris (Gordon Harker).
A man named Spenser (Garry Marsh) from the institute of psychological research shows up. He informs the family that there is a poltergeist that is responsible for the strange happenings. He also tells them that the poltergeist is attached to the youngest daughter Audrey.
Robert’s father, Nobby Ebury (Knox Crichton), is a wealthy businessman. He and Wilfred have been planning a joint commercial venture which would be highly beneficial to Wilfred. When Ebury finds out about the poltergeist he tells Wilfred that unless they get rid of the ghost, the marriage between Robert and Joyce is off, not to mention the danger of the business venture falling through. Spenser is tasked with getting rid of the spirit. With help from Wilfred, Harris, and Ebury, Spenser begins his exorcism of the Prescott house, but the spirit is not going willingly.
“Things Happen at Night” was released in 1948 and was directed by Francis Searle. It is a low budget British comedy horror film and a farce. The movie was based on the stage play “The Poltergeist” by Frank Harvey.
The main problem with this film is that it is missing at least twenty-three minutes. That’s a lot of movie for one that is only seventy-nine minutes long. The result is a slightly disjointed film where there are characters introduced and then you never see them again. In addition, there are references to things in scenes that are no longer in the film.
The movie does have some decent actors, but the script is weak. It depends mostly on the physical comedy. Other than the slapstick, there isn’t much for the seasoned actors to work with.
Reportedly, a television version of the film was done in 1950 called “The Poltergeist” that also starred Gordon Harker. This film is believed to be lost.