Clive Brook was a top star for over ten years - now days it is hard to see why. He was typed as the reserved and sophisticated English gentleman and in the couple of films I have seen of his - "Charming Sinners" (1929) and the excellent "The Night of June 13th" (1932), he was quite stiff and unemotional. Obviously, the person you can't take your eyes off in this film is George Raft. Although often remembered today for movie roles he turned down, he sure was in some diverse films, and "Midnight Club" would have to be at the top of the list.
With a sparkling script by Leslie Charteris, creator of "The Saint" - the latest crime wave has Scotland Yard baffled. Commissioner Hope (Sir Guy Standing) sends two of his officers (Billy Bevan and Charles McNaughton) to the Midnight Club to check up on a couple of shady characters - Colin Grant (Clive Brook) and Arthur Bradley (Allan Mowbray) and a girl, Iris Witney (Helen Vinson). There have been a number of jewel robberies around town recently, but, unknown to the police, these three have the perfect alibis!!! They have found "doubles", and while they are out committing the robberies, their doubles spend the night at the club, confusing the two officers who are on their tail.
Suddenly a spanner is thrown into the works, Nick Mason (George Raft) a U.S. undercover agent has been bought over to solve the case. He hides out in Iris's car and causes her to lose her cool (as well as most of her clothes). He manages to get some stolen jewels off her without blowing his cover. Hope advises him to try to become part of the gang ("after all with a face like yours, they would never believe you're a detective") - because the trio already believe he is a crook it isn't too hard!!!
What follows is a scintillating, witty action packed pre-coder. Raft proved he could still be a tough guy working with the Law. His opening scene with Helen Vinson is racy and sparkling, the type that would not be seen a couple of years later - after the code came in. I think most women in the audience would have wished to be in Helen Vinson's shoes (or her stockings)!! Helen was equally at home playing schemers or good women, she was always very classy. If I have any complaint, it is that George Raft didn't have a double - he was so yummy and delicious, there was room for one more!!!
Highly Recommended.
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