Bowery at Midnight? (1942) in Poverty Row Forum

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Bowery at Midnight? (1942)

Author	Comment
TomWeaver999		#41	[-]
Oct 24 09 10:58 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	<< I've heard it said that BOWERY was actually not a ripoff, but rather an authorized redo, of DARK? << I can't say I ever heard that -- and since they're BOTH like THE BLACK BIRD, and probably umpty-ump other earlier yarns in which a philanthropist turns out to actually be a crook, I have me doubts (as DRACULA's Martin might say). A few days ago, I watched a 1950s TV episode of THE MAN BEHIND THE BADGE with, again, the same plot (Strother Martin running the mission this time).
The Batman of Gotham		#42	[-]
Oct 25 09 12:50 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	TomWeaver999 wrote: Your next stop: The Lon Chaney silent THE BLACKBIRD, where he's the kindly guy who runs a mission, and then behind closed doors turns out to be the local king of crime. 'Been there, done that. Chaney was great as usual! - GJS
Southern Beau		#43	[-]
Jul 24 10 10:46 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"I assure you my boy, the commentary on Bela Lugosi Presents Bowery at Midnight is good. And the radio show that comes with it you will also enjoy."
Grant		#44	[-]
Sep 24 10 6:12 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I finally saw it for the first time a week ago. I know these stories aren't meant to be analyzed any too much, but I was surprised by the attitude the "good guys" (except the heroine) have towards those soup kitchens (and BEFORE knowing what's going on in that particular one), and not just because they're in dangerous places like the Bowery. When she's talking to the boyfriend, and uses that phrase "help the underprivileged," he sneers in a pretty obvious way!
Tom Powers		#45	[-]
Sep 24 10 6:55 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Well, the cynicism fits the hard-boiled approach to the story. By the location, the men were probably convinced that patrons were likely not the "deserving poor" but winos, addicts, and petty criminals. By `42 there were a lot more jobs around than during the depression, and people were less understanding of what was then often viewed as self-inflicted poverty or moral failings. There's been a lot of social change since then.
Southern Beau		#46	[-]
Sep 27 10 12:01 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts
Grant		#47	[-]
Sep 29 10 2:06 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Even though I don't know him from many things, Tom Neal made a very believable tough guy character. In one scene of "Radar Secret Service," when Sid Melton does his comic relief character bit at him, that's one moment when I almost expect Sid Melton to get hit!
CreepingBride		#48	[-]
Sep 29 10 8:23 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tom Powers wrote: Well, the cynicism fits the hard-boiled approach to the story. By the location, the men were probably convinced that patrons were likely not the "deserving poor" but winos, addicts, and petty criminals. By `42 there were a lot more jobs around than during the depression, and people were less understanding of what was then often viewed as self-inflicted poverty or moral failings. There's been a lot of social change since then. TCM sometimes shows a John Nesbitt "Passing Parade" short from 1941 called "This is the Bowery" that would be a great lead-in to BOWERY AT MIDNIGHT. (I couldn't find it on-line to post here, but maybe others can...)
Lionelatwill		#49	[-]
May 23 11 11:09 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I think this film must hold the record for the most secret panels.
Joe Karlosi		#50	[-]
Dec 1 11 6:48 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Watched this again today for the first time in a while. I really think this is very near the TOP of Bela's Monogram's. Lugosi's terrific in it. And the story is pretty interesting... I don't agree that it's that "confusing," which is a charge that's usually placed on it. By day, Lugosi is a college professor ... at night, he supervises a bowery mission for underprivileged people, which is basically a front for him to indulge his whims by engaging in nocturnal criminal activities. Someone earlier in the thread said he would have trimmed the bogus ending where Richard is recovering nicely at home, and I'd agree - even though that's a practice I wouldn't usually condone. The ending is the only dent in an otherwise engaging film. One of the posters suggested that the movie does not really give a reason for Bela's doube life, but I think it presents hints that are powerful. One of these is when Lugosi is teaching his class in his first personality as a professor; he asks a student to explain schizophrenia, and the pupil does so.... at which time Bela reflects: "So, could that mean that such a person might even consider... a life of crime..?" (Followed by a dramatic fadeout)... Perhaps Lugosi himself is ill, struggling with schizophrenia and a personality disorder. In the other telling scene, we have Bela tossing in bed at night, having intense nightmares. He is truly one disturbed man, struggling with issues. Really a fine Poverty Row flick, a notch above most. "Guy named Squeamy got thrown from the fifth floor. He's deader'n a mackerel." Last Edited By: Joe Karlosi Dec 1 11 6:54 PM. Edited 4 times.
bela lugosi		#51	[-]
Dec 2 11 7:17 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Joe, I agree. I need to revisit this one again soon, but I've always considered it among the very best of Bela's poverty row forays.
TomWeaver999		#52	[-]
Dec 2 11 10:44 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	BOWERY achieved so-so results in the CHFB's old "Rank the Lugosi Monograms" poll: http://monsterkidclassich...-S-MONOGRAM-FILMS?page=1
rvoyttbots		#53	[-]
Dec 3 11 12:44 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Dreary cheapjack junk. To me, Lugosi`s best of these cheap crapfests is BLACK DRAGONS.
Joe Karlosi		#54	[-]
Dec 3 11 6:36 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	BLACK DRAGONS, the best? Very interesting. That may be the first time I've heard that opinion. (I enjoy BD as well). "Guy named Squeamy got thrown from the fifth floor. He's deader'n a mackerel." Last Edited By: Joe Karlosi Dec 3 11 6:40 AM. Edited 1 times.
Wich2		#55	[-]
Dec 3 11 8:53 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	INVISIBLE GHOST for "most like a real movie," VOODOO MAN for fun crazy fun quotient.
bela lugosi		#56	[-]
Dec 3 11 2:53 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tom, here was my ranking from that thread, and I'm pretty solid with it still: VOODOO MAN BOWERY AT MIDNIGHT BLACK DRAGONS THE CORPSE VANISHES SPOOKS RUN WILD INVISIBLE GHOST THE APE MAN GHOSTS ON THE LOOSE
rvoyttbots		#57	[-]
Dec 3 11 9:08 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Joe Karlosi wrote: BLACK DRAGONS, the best? Very interesting. That may be the first time I've heard that opinion. (I enjoy BD as well). Not saying the movie is the best, I just like Lugosi in it more than the others.
atkalu		#58	[-]
Dec 4 11 7:20 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	A huge Lugosi fan, I have avoided the monogram 9 for years. I hate to see him in such junk. Nevertheless, since there aren't any new Lugosi flicks coming out soon (at least until we re-create dead actors with CGI) I've been slowly going through these and just caught this one the other night and was relatively happy. Best parts - - Lugosi's hair being slicked back (like Dracula). This is his best look and always makes him look younger. The combover is never as good. - Lugosi having a dual role. I love the soup kitchen racket - it's so cheesy it works for this type of film. - funniest line is by Tom Neal - "I've never seen a guy with more angles". My friend quoted this for years. I had to burst out laughing when I heard it. So casually delivered. - Lugosi is actually pretty evil in this one. He pushes that guy over the ledge which was just terrible. - NO BOWERY BOYS. I thought this was a bowery boys movie due to the title. I was so pleasantly happy each scene they didn't arrive.
bela lugosi		#59	[-]
Dec 5 11 5:25 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Glad you had a chance to see this gem, atkalu! I also prefer Bela's hair slicked back. Always looks very cool!
Dudley Manlove		#60	[-]
Dec 14 11 3:09 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I had never seen this till lat night, i guess as i normally resist the 50 pack DVD temptation, and only know its poor rep mainly as Poverty Row Cheapie and a Lugosi Vehicle but wow....... it was actually pretty good. The Dual role is much like Dr Clitterhouse but it was also quite violent especially when Bela threw that guy off the roof as a distraction! lol Yeah they also had to be Zombies as they were kept in a dark sealed off hole........so the ending is real jaw dropper of a head scratcher. Its not even like they may have lost a reel, that subplot is just not properly explained. So was the hero cured? Was he a murderer if they all killed Lugosi? Dammed if i think anyone will ever know. Also on other forums they wonder about that Massive map of Australia, leading to the basement area, One can only assume its referring to going "Down Under".

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Bowery at Midnight? (1942)