Strangers of the Evening: A weird little morgue mystery

Is it worth your time?

Look, if you have a soft spot for pre-Code era mysteries where people talk in clipped, rapid-fire sentences, you’ll probably find something to love here. If you need your movies to make sense or have modern pacing, skip it. You will likely hate it if you get frustrated by plots that move like a turtle through molasses.

The whole thing kicks off at the city morgue. Bodies are just… walking out. Or being carried out. It’s hard to tell because the lighting is so dim you could lose your own hand in front of your face.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Strangers of the Evening (1932) through its definitive frames.

It’s not quite a horror flick, but it isn’t really a hard-boiled crime drama either. It’s sitting somewhere in the middle, feeling very much like the kind of thing they would have shown on a rainy Tuesday in 1932. 🌧️

The morgue vibe

The morgue set feels like it was built in a shed. There is this one scene where a character is leaning over a slab, and the shadows are just absurdly long. It feels like the director was trying to channel the energy of The Evil Eye but got a bit distracted by the craft services table.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Strangers of the Evening (1932) through its definitive frames.

Eugene Pallette is in this, which is always a treat. He has this gravelly voice that sounds like he’s gargling marbles, and he somehow makes the most ridiculous dialogue sound like gospel. When he enters a room, the movie actually has a pulse for a few minutes.

• The dialogue is fast enough to give you whiplash.
• The plot holes are big enough to park a Model T in.
• Zasu Pitts is doing her thing, which is exactly what you want from her.

I found myself wondering if they just ran out of budget halfway through the third act. The investigation feels like it just stops dead in its tracks for a bit, while everyone stares at doors that don't need to be stared at. It’s weirdly hypnotic.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Strangers of the Evening (1932) through its definitive frames.

Final thoughts

It’s not a masterpiece, and honestly, it’s not even a particularly good mystery. But it has that weird, unpolished charm that modern movies just can't seem to replicate anymore. It feels like a rough draft of a better story, but I kind of like that it’s messy.

If you liked the vibe of Madame Sphinx, you’ll probably find yourself nodding along here. Just don’t expect to remember the plot by the time you wake up the next morning. It’s a classic case of the experience being better than the actual movie itself.