ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT: Gangsters vs. Nazis

ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT (Blu-ray)

1942 / 107 min

Warner Archive Collection

Available at MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

Gangsters versus Nazis? Count this guy in.

Though I’ve seen plenty of Humphrey Bogart movies in my time, this one somehow escaped my radar until now...maybe yours, too. Released during Bogey’s greatest decade, the 1940s, All Through the Night may not be as widely remembered or revered as Casablanca, Treasure of the Sierra Madre and all those film noir classics, but damn, it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

He plays “Gloves” Donahue, a professional gambler with a shady reputation among the police, though he is well liked by the locals. When his favorite cheesecake maker is found brutally murdered, he trails a mysterious woman, Leda Hamilton (Kaaren Verne), who appears to know who might be behind it. At the nightclub where she sings, another man is shot and killed by Pepi (Peter Lorre), the same guy who did the baker. But because Donahue leaves one of his trademark gloves behind, he is the prime suspect.

In order to clear his name and nail the real killer, Donahue and some of his crew track Pepi and Leda down at an antique auction house, where they discover a big ol’ nest o’ Nazis led by Hall Ebbing (Conrad Veidt). Worse yet, Leda and the baker appear to be part of that group. But worst of all…the Nazis are about to stage an attack on America by blowing up a battleship. Everything culminates in an exciting climax in which Donahue gathers all his gangster friends to try and thwart Ebbing’s plans.

"Sorry, sir...your card has been declined."

It’s a great story with plenty of surprises and twists. However, none of it is as dire as it sounds. Despite all the action, violence and suspense, the overall tone is actually pretty light. There’s a big emphasis on comedy, mostly through its witty screenplay and amusing performances. Bogart and co-star William Demarest (playing right-hand-man “Sunshine”) are especially amusing together, particularly a hilarious scene where they end up fast-talking their way through a Nazi meeting. In fact, the whole cast of reliable character actors is enjoyable (including an early role for Jackie Gleason). 

One of Warner Archive’s better Blu-ray releases this year, All Through the Night features a good transfer and some great archival bonus features (outlined below). Though seldom mentioned among other classics of the era, it’s a fast-paced, consistently entertaining mash-up of thriller, comedy and just a dash of film noir.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTE - Call the Usual Suspects is a wonderful tribute to classic character actors, with an emphasis on All Through the Night.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Vincent Sherman and Humphrey Bogard biographer Eric Lax.

SHORT - So You Want to Give Up Smoking

LOONEY TUNES SHORT - Lights Fantastic

1942 NEWSREEL

TRAILER