Her Adventurous Night

How many film like this are vanishing forever? The similar kids-catch-murderer HOME SWEET HOMICIDE must be Randolph Scott's least shown title.

There is nothing special to recommend HER ADVENTUROUS NIGHT. Its stars are good but second rank. It's production is accomplished (particularly camera) and it passes time but it's major quality, as a snapshot of the post war period with the fashions, running board cars and retail shortages, is also the thing which makes it a relic. Given a list of titles who is going to pick this one out? Do the original materials still exist?

For the record, the mix of domestic comedy and whodunit, common at the time, seems to be working against itself. The elements which catch attention - O'Keefe's job as a 'phone linesman, Powers excellent in a dual rôle, menacing and benevolent, are continually interrupted by weak comedy. The shoot-out in Judels' wine cellar makes a brief, noirish action highlight. Good players try to convince us their material is better than it is.

It's sobering to realize that even the memories of the people who once valued this as part of their entertainment diet, may now have faded.