They Drive by Night

1938

1h 24m

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

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Crime

Thriller

“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.

Directors

Arthur B. Woods

Writers

Paul Gangelin(screenplay by)

James Curtis(novel by)

Derek N. Twist(screenplay by)

Stars

Emlyn Williams

Ernest Thesiger

Anna Konstam

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Top cast

Shorty Matthews

Walter Hoover

Molly O'Neill

Wally Mason

Murray

Charlie

Bus Conductor

Detective Pryor

Marge

Landlady

Mrs. Mason

Pauline

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)

Directors

Arthur B. Woods

Writers

Paul Gangelin(screenplay by)

James Curtis(novel by)

Derek N. Twist(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews1

Review

Featured review

7/10

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 hitching 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.

Geronimo196720 Jun, 2022