Night Key (1937)





Dave Mallory (Boris Karloff) has his invention stolen from him by his former business partner, Ranger (Samuel Hinds), who owns a burglar alarm system company. Despite his failing health, Mallory creates a new and superior alarm system with the hope of providing security for his daughter, Joan (Jean Rogers). He sells it to Ranger's company on a royalty basis, but soon discovers that Ranger has no intention of using the new invention. Enraged, Mallory attempts to force Ranger to uphold their original agreement by secretly breaking into stores using the system and rendering it ineffective with his own specialized apparatus. As his business is at risk, Ranger assigns his trouble-shooter, Travers (Warren Hull), to track down Mallory.

A group of thieves kidnaps Mallory in order to use his invention to commit robberies. They also abduct Mallory's daughter, forcing him to cooperate with them. The gang proceeds to terrorize the city by burglarizing every commercial establishment that uses Ranger's alarm system. With the help of Travers, Mallory escapes the gang's hideout and convinces Ranger to follow his plan for capturing the criminals. After Joan is rescued and the gang is rounded up by the police, Ranger promises to fully compensate Mallory for his invention.



Books with substantial mentioning of Night Key

John T. Soister
Of Gods and monsters, A critical guide to Universal Studios' science fiction, horror, and mystery films, 1929-1939
Jefferson, N.C., 1999

John Brunas, Michael Brunas, Tom Weaver
Universal Horrors, The Studio's Classic Films, 1931-1946
1990

Richard Bojarski and Kenneth Beals
The Films of Boris Karloff
Secaucus, NJ, 1974

Books with an entry on Night Key

Larry Langman and Daniel Finn
A Guide to American Crime Films of the Thirties
Westport, Connecticut - London, 1995


Year: 1937
Country: United States
Language: English
Italian
 
IMDb: 0029309