FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Hadrina The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Allison Davies The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

JohnHowardReid Ginger Rogers (Pat Morgan), Lyle Talbot (Ted Rand), Purnell Pratt (Inspector Russell), Arthur Hoyt (Wilfred), Harvey Clark (the janitor), Lillian Harmer (Augusta), Louise Beavers (maid), Clarence Wilson (Perkins), Cyril Ring (Eddie, the morgue attendant), Maurice Black (Martini), Tiny Sandford (Eddie, the detective), Jim Farley (Detective Brown), Dick Rush (policeman in hallway). Director: ALBERT RAY. Screenplay: Frances Hyland. Story; Kurt Kempler. Film editor: L.R. Brown. Photography: Harry Neumann, Tom Galligan. Costumes designed by Alfreda. Art director: Gene Hornbostel. Music supervisor: Abe Meyer. Assistant director: Wilbur McGaugh. Production manager: Sidney Algier. Sound recording: Homer C. Ellmaker. RCA Sound System. Associate producer: M.H. Hoffman, junior. An M.H. Hoffman (senior) Production. Filmed at RKO-Pathé Studios. Copyright 7 April 1933 by Allied Pictures Corporation. New York opening at the Cameo: 23 July 1933. U.S. release: 15 April 1933. 8 reels. 70 minutes. SYNOPSIS: A man falls to his death from the balcony of a high-rise apartment. His live-in secretary is under suspicion, but it turns out that the secretary is actually a reporter in disguise. NOTES: Ginger Rogers' last appearance on Poverty Row. Henceforth all her films, with the solitary exception of "The Confession" (1964) were made for and/or released by major studios.COMMENT: "An agreeable surprise" is how Frank S. Nugent (my favorite film critic) described this movie in The New York Times. And certainly if your expectations were low (as Mr. Nugent's were), this picture would rate high on the entertainment scale. The well-appointed sets and the atmospheric cinematography are both several notches higher than the usual independent studio shocker. The screenplay too is wittier and more pungent, more interestingly characterized and faster paced than the usual Poverty Row offering. Only the acting seems a little strained and forced. Admittedly, Ginger is competent enough, but lacks her usual sparkle and charisma. Lyle Talbot, Arthur Hoyt, Harvey Clark and Louise Beavers carry off the histrionic honors. True, they share the best lines and bits of business, but Miss Rogers and Mr. Pratt (who occupy so much screen time) really needed to perk up their roles. Maybe Ginger could have adopted a more slinky approach in the early stages of the movie and maybe Mr. Pratt would have done well to invest in a few eye-catching mannerisms. As it is, "A Shriek in the Night" could well disappoint Ginger's legions of fans.

vert001 For a Poverty Row effort (Allied Pictures), A SHRIEK IN THE NIGHT has unusually high production values and a far better cast (Ginger Rogers, Lyle Talbot, Purnell Pratt, even Louise Beavers) than such movies could normally command. Actually, I'm puzzled as to what Ginger Rogers was doing here at this point in her career. Some sort of loan-out from her new studio, RKO? Was RKO responsible for the realistic outdoor shooting and the occasionally witty banter in the script? There must be some story here, but I've never come across it.In any event, a handsome young couple wisecracking their way through a murder mystery was a staple of thirties' filmmaking and stayed that way for at least for another fifty years (the TV series Moonlighting would be the latest 'New Hot Thing' of its time, which was at least 50 years after SHRIEK). This was a pretty early example of the genre, and not the worst that it would produce by a long shot. Not exactly a sequel to THE THIRTEENTH GUEST though it also was about a murder and featured the same two leads, SHRIEK is much more in the spirit of THE THIN MAN as our pair of rival reporters (Rogers and Talbot) banter their way through a murder investigation ("What's romantic about a speakeasy?" "Man! Don't be vulgar") that is heavier on the comedy than it is on the mystery (it's not a good sign when you have to spend two minutes at the end of your picture explaining what the plot had been about).Lyle Talbot had sort of reached his level as the star of movies like this; Ginger Rogers, of course, was about to reach her level as the star of movies like TOP HAT. They raise material which otherwise was potentially watchable to material that is--well, watchable. One reviewer suggested that it would have been better had Ginger gone off to solve the mystery with Detective Purnell Pratt as they had better chemistry than she had with Talbot, and I believe that I agree with that idea. Still, with a fast forward button in hand, SHRIEK does provide the viewer with some pleasant scenes.

Tweekums When millionaire philanthropist falls from the top of a luxury apartment it is a mystery; did he fall, did he jump or was the pushed? The first person questioned is the dead man's secretary she claims to have no idea what happened and suggests the police talk to the maid; however she does warn them that the is a little dumb. The maid claims she may have heard a hissing noise but isn't certain. As the police discuss matters a reporter, Ted Rand, bluffs his way into the apartment… he isn't the first reporter there though; the secretary. Pat Morgan, is actually a reporter too. She had been investigating her employer and knew a lot more than she told the police. Unfortunately for her as the calls in the story she doesn't realise she is telling the story to her rival on the other phone rather than her paper. She gets the sack and is determined to get her revenge on Rand, who she was once involved with.As the story progresses more people die and motives start to emerge. It seems the dead man was involved with the woman in the apartment below and when she is found dead suspicion falls on the husband… although there are other dodgy characters about; including the mob. As Morgan digs deeper into the story she puts herself in real danger.At just over an hour in length this film doesn't outstay its welcome. There is a nice mystery with a reasonable number of suspects. While it is listed as a comedy it is better to think of it as a drama with a few comical moments as there are few real laughs to be had…if you don't include some of the overacting by secondary characters! Leads Ginger Rogers and Lyle Talbot are likable as Morgan and Rand. Given the fairly light tone to much of the film its ending gets quite dark; it looked as though Morgan was going to be incinerated by the villain… even though it was unlikely to actually happen this proved quite tense. Overall a pretty good film; it may be a bit crackly but the story is quite fresh.

kai ringler well I must say that this is the first movie I've ever seen with Ginger Rodgers in it,, yeah I know it's the first time I've ever seen her but lemme say wow,, yeah that's right,, the story is about a little murder mystery,, people are getting killed in an apartment complex and her and a rival reporter have to figure out who done it,, problem is both of them are trying to out-scoop the other one , and that leads them into conflict with the police as well as each other , I did appreciate the killer's way of disposing of the bodies,, I won't give it away, but let's just say you will have to watch to find out.. you don't know right away who the killer is and it really is revealed till close to the end of the movie. all in all not a bad little movie,, a little slow moving but good.