''A Thief in the Dark'' is a 1928 American silent

mystery film A mystery film is a genre of film that revolves around the solution of a problem or a crime. It focuses on the efforts of the detective, private investigator or amateur Detective, sleuth to solve the mysterious circumstances of an issue by means ...

directed by

Albert Ray Albert Ray (August 28, 1897 – February 5, 1944) was an American film director, actor, and screenwriter. He directed more than 70 films between 1920 and 1939. He also appeared in 18 films between 1915 and 1922. He was born in New Roche ...

, written by C. Graham Baker and William Kernell (based on a plot idea from director Ray), and starring

George Meeker George Meeker (March 5, 1904 – August 19, 1984) was an American character film and Broadway actor. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Meeker made several films such as ''Crime, Inc.'' (1945) and ''A Thief in the Dark'' (1 ...

Doris Hill Doris Hill (March 21, 1905 – March 3, 1976), born Roberta M. Hill, was an American film actress of the 1920s and 1930s. Early years Born and raised in Roswell, New Mexico, Hill was the daughter of rancher William A. Hill. She was educated ...

Gwen Lee Gwen Lee (born Gwendolyn Lepinski; November 12, 1904 – August 20, 1961) was an American stage and film actress. Lee began her career as a model before being discovered and signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She was typically cast in supporting ...

Marjorie Beebe Marjorie Eileen Beebe (October 9, 1908 – May 9, 1983) was an American film actress. Early years Beebe was born on October 9, 1909. She graduated from Hollywood High School. Career Beebe tired of working as an assistant in a magician's show, s ...

Michael Vavitch Mikhail Vavich (russian: Михаил Иванович Вавич) was a Russian actor, operetta and singer. Biography Mikhail first performed in 1905 on stage at St. Petersburg in a private operetta of Petr Tumpakov. He received recognition in ...

and

Noah Young Noah Young, Jr. (February 2, 1887 – April 18, 1958) was a champion weightlifter and actor. Biography Young was born in Cañon City, Colorado. His father, Noah Young, was a foreman of the Glenrock coal mine who later became a coal mine in ...

. The film was released on May 20, 1928, by

Fox Film Corporation The Fox Film Corporation (also known as Fox Studios) was an American Independent film production studio formed by William Fox (1879–1952) in 1915, by combining his earlier Greater New York Film Rental Company and Box Office Attractions Film ...

Plot

A young drifter named Ernest joins a troupe of phony mystics working in a carnival, led by a Professor Xeno. Ernest learns that his colleagues are systematically burglarizing some of the wealthy homes in the towns through which they travel. Ernest finds out that Xeno has stooped to murdering an old lady for her jewelry, and sets about trying to expose Xeno to the authorities.

Cast

as Ernest *

as Elise *

as Flo *

as Jeanne *

as Professor Xeno *

as Monk * Charles Belcher as Duke *Ray Turner as Beauregard *

Erville Alderson Erville Alderson (September 11, 1882 – August 4, 1957) was an American character actor, usually portraying strong-willed or wise men. He appeared in nearly 200 films between 1918 and 1957. Life Alderson was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He ...

as Armstrong

Production

The film is thought by critics to have lifted its storyline from

Tod Browning Tod Browning (born Charles Albert Browning Jr.; July 12, 1880 – October 6, 1962) was an American film director, film actor, screenwriter, vaudeville performer, and carnival sideshow and circus entertainer. He directed a number of films of vari ...

's successful 1925 film ''The Unholy Three''. Cameraman Edeson later became one of

James Whale James Whale (22 July 1889 – 29 May 1957) was an English film director, theatre director and actor, who spent the greater part of his career in Cinema of the United States, Hollywood. He is best remembered for several horror films: ''Fran ...

's favorite associates, photographing ''Frankenstein'' (1931), ''The Old Dark House'' (1932) and ''The Invisible Man'' (1933) for the director.Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 334. .

References

External links

* 1928 films American mystery films 1928 mystery films Fox Film films Films directed by Albert Ray American silent feature films American black-and-white films 1920s English-language films 1920s American films Silent mystery films {{mystery-film-stub