They Drive by Night
1938 | 84m | English
Popularity: 1 (history)
| Director: | Arthur B. Woods |
|---|---|
| Writer: | James Curtis, Paul Gangelin, Derek N. Twist |
| Staring: |
| “Shorty” Matthews having recently been released from prison visits his girlfriend in London only to discover her murdered. Fearing he will be wrongly accused of being the culprit he disappears amongst the long-distance lorry driving community. Meanwhile, the real killer, unassuming ex-schoolteacher Walter Hoover, continues to prey on London women. As Shorty had feared he has become the main suspect. He returns to London with old flame Molly to prove his innocence. | |
| Release Date: | Dec 01, 1938 |
|---|---|
| Director: | Arthur B. Woods |
| Writer: | James Curtis, Paul Gangelin, Derek N. Twist |
| Genres: | Crime, Thriller |
| Keywords | british noir |
| Production Companies | First National Film Distributors |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $0
Budget: $0 |
| Updates |
Updated: Aug 03, 2024 Entered: Apr 13, 2024 |
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Emlyn Williams | Shorty Matthews |
| Ernest Thesiger | Walter Hoover |
| Anna Konstam | Molly O'Neill |
| Allan Jeayes | Wally Mason |
| Anthony Holles | Murray |
| Ronald Shiner | Charlie |
| William Hartnell | Bus Conductor |
| Joe Cunningham | Detective Pryor |
| Yolande Terrell | Marge |
| Jennie Hartley | Landlady |
| Kitty de Legh | Mrs. Mason |
| Julie Barrie | Pauline |
| Hyma Beckley | Newspaper Seller (Uncredited) |
| William John Davies | Youth (Uncredited) |
| Edgar Driver | Customer at Charlie's (Uncredited) |
| Vi Kaley | Flower Seller (Uncredited) |
| Simon Lack | Roy Allen, Brother of Man to be Executed (Uncredited) |
| Basil McGrail | Lorry Driver at Crash Scene (Uncredited) |
| George Merritt | Detective (Uncredited) |
| Bernard Miles | Detective at Billiard Halls (Uncredited) |
| Frederick Piper | Bartender (Uncredited) |
| Philip Ray | Lorry Driver Attacking Molly (Uncredited) |
| Charles Rolfe | Card Player at Billiard Halls (Uncredited) |
| Leonard Sharp | Card Player at Billiard Halls (Uncredited) |
| George Street | Detective at Billiard Halls (Uncredited) |
| Harry Terry | Released Convict (Uncredited) |
| Robert Brooks Turner | Police Constable Outside Prison (Uncredited) |
| Iris Vandeleur | Flower Seller (Uncredited) |
| Jack Vyvyan | Jock McKenzie (Uncredited) |
| Leslie Weston | Jack (Uncredited) |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Arthur B. Woods | Director |
| Michael Relph | Art Direction |
| James Curtis | Novel |
| Paul Gangelin | Screenplay |
| Derek N. Twist | Screenplay |
| Basil Emmott | Director of Photography |
| Leslie Norman | Editor |
| Leslie Murray | Sound |
| Peter Proud | Art Direction |
| Bretton Byrd | Music Director, Original Music Composer |
| H.C. Pearson | Sound |
| Cecil Milner | Orchestrator |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Jerome Jackson | Producer |
| Organization | Category | Person |
|---|
Popularity History
| Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 | 4 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 1 |
| 2024 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| 2024 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
| 2024 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Trending Position
Emyln Williams ("Shorty") puts in a strong performance in this solidly produced British crime noir. Released from jail, he sets off to reunite with his girlfriend - only what he finds causes him to flee. Trying to stay one step ahead of the pursuing law, he travels the length of the country by hitch ... ing lifts from various truck drivers and in itself, that provides us with some interesting escapades and a few enjoyable cameos, before he he hooks up with his friend '"Molly" (Anna Konstam) and they try to establish his innocence. One thing neither of them bargained on, was their encounter with the enigmatic "Hoover" (Ernest Thesiger) who I have to say, always was one of the better character actors I've seen, and here he is positively enthralling as the ambiguous former teacher who just exudes a wonderful degree of menace - without really trying.... Visually, the film has a certain observational anthropology to it - the truck travelling illustrates well the lives of the mobile elements of the working class and offers us an interesting insight into how our country functions in a way seldom seem on screen. The first twenty minutes or so are a little slow, but the last are great to watch and if you get a chance to watch this, then give it a go.