Midnight Manhunt is a 1945 American crime comedy directed by William C. Thomas, produced by Republic Pictures, and written by David Lang. It runs about 64 minutes and is remembered as a quirky B‑movie blending murder mystery, screwball antics, and atmospheric settings.
Plot Summary
The film begins when gangster Joe Wells (George Zucco) is shot dead in a hotel. His body is secretly moved to a nearby wax museum, where it becomes the centerpiece of a bizarre night.
Inside the museum, a cast of eccentric characters—including a reporter, a detective, and the museum’s staff—become entangled in a series of comic misadventures as they try to solve the crime, hide the body, or exploit the situation. The wax figures and shadowy corridors provide a macabre backdrop for the unfolding farce.
Cast
- William Gargan as Pete Morgan (reporter)
- Ann Savage as Sue Gallagher (reporter)
- Leo Gorcey as Clutch (comic relief)
- George Zucco as Joe Wells (gangster)
- Charles Halton as Henry Miggs (museum curator)
- Paul Hurst as Detective O’Hara
Production Notes & Trivia
- Directed by William C. Thomas, who specialized in low‑budget crime and adventure films.
- Produced by Republic Pictures, known for efficient B‑movies and serials.
- Ann Savage, famous for her role in Detour (1945), appears here in a lighter, comedic role.
- Leo Gorcey, of the Bowery Boys, provides comic relief, contrasting with the film’s noirish setting.
- The wax museum setting was a cost‑effective way to create atmosphere, combining horror imagery with comedy.
- The film’s brisk pacing and odd tonal mix reflect Republic’s strategy of producing inexpensive but entertaining features for double bills.
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