One Frightened Night (1935)

Directed by Christy Cabanne and produced by Mascot Pictures, One Frightened Night is a classic “old dark house” mystery that blends comedy, suspense, and a touch of gothic flair. With a runtime of just 66 minutes, it delivers a tightly wound whodunit set against the backdrop of a thunderstorm and a millionaire’s twisted inheritance scheme.

Plot Summary
Facing a hefty inheritance tax, eccentric tycoon Jasper Whyte (Charley Grapewin) invites a group of relatives and acquaintances to his mansion. He announces he’ll give each of them one million dollars before midnight. But when a young woman arrives claiming to be his long-lost granddaughter Doris Waverly, he changes his mind and decides to leave everything to her.

Then—another woman shows up, also claiming to be Doris. As confusion mounts, one of the guests is murdered, and the house is thrown into chaos. With the storm raging outside and secrets unraveling inside, the guests must figure out who the real Doris is—and who the killer might be.

Cast Highlights

• Charley Grapewin as Jasper Whyte
• Lucien Littlefield as Dr. Denham
• Mary Carlisle as the second Doris Waverly
• Regis Toomey as Tom Dean
• Arthur Hohl as Arthur Proctor
• Fred Kelsey as Sheriff Jenks
• Evalyn Knapp as the fake Doris Waverly
• Wallace Ford, Clarence Wilson, Adrian Morris, and Hedda Hopper in supporting roles

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

• The film aired on early American television as far back as January 13, 1948, in Washington D.C., and later in cities like Milwaukee, Cleveland, and New York
• The opening credits music was reused from the 1933 horror-mystery The Vampire Bat