Midnight Intruder

Midnight Intruder

Year: 1938

Runtime: 68 mins

Language: English

Director: Arthur Lubin

CrimeComedyRomance

A former actor poses as the son of a wealthy man and gets involved in a murder in which the real son is the suspect.

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Timeline & Setting – Midnight Intruder (1938)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Midnight Intruder (1938). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Reitter Mansion

The Reitter family mansion serves as the central setting, a grand residence that becomes a shelter for Barry and a stage for deception. Its opulent interior amplifies the social stakes of wealth, status, and propriety as characters navigate hidden motives. The mansion’s secluded atmosphere heightens tension, making every interaction feel like a potential breach of trust. Rainy weather reinforces the mood of concealment and impending exposure.

🏰 Mansion 🌧️ Rainy setting 🗞️ Newspaper world

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:59

Main Characters – Midnight Intruder (1938)

Meet the key characters of Midnight Intruder (1938), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Barry Gilbert (Louis Hayward)

A former newspaper reporter who, broke after a gambling loss, impersonates John Clark Reitter Jr. to seek shelter and a chance at a story. His quick wit and willingness to bend rules pull him into a moral gray area as he pursues the truth and navigates romantic tension with Patricia and Peggy.

📰 Journalist 🎭 Impostor 🌀 Impulsive

John Clark Reitter Jr. (Eric Linden)

The long-absent son of a wealthy newspaper publisher, returning as the object of Barry’s masquerade. He represents legitimacy and the risk of being swept up in others’ schemes, while his own prospects hinge on how others perceive him.

👔 Aristocrat 🕵️️ Detective-in-waiting 🎭 Masquerade

Peggy Reitter (Sheila Bromley)

A showgirl and wife of the real John Reitter Jr., Peggy oscillates between flirtation and revelation, aiding Barry yet carrying secrets of her own. She uses information strategically to influence the course of events.

💃 Showgirl 🎭 Secret-keeper 🫵 Ally

Patricia Hammond (Barbara Read)

A neighbor who develops romantic interest in Barry, becoming entangled in his impersonation. Her interactions with Barry and her father propel the plot toward uncovering truth and confronting family loyalties.

💖 Romantic interest ⚖️ Moral compass 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Complicity

Doc Norton (J. C. Nugent)

A physician connected to the Reitter circle; his role evolves within the web of relationships and the murder investigation. He remains a figure tied to trust, power, and the plot’s twists.

🩺 Doctor 🧩 Plot twist 🧠 Advisor

Bill Harwood (Joseph Crehan)

The editor who cautions Barry against playing detective, representing journalistic integrity and professional boundaries. He ultimately weighs Barry’s discoveries while maintaining newsroom credibility.

📰 Editor 🧭 Mentor 🗞️ Gatekeeper

Luis Romano (Matty Fain)

Nightclub owner and the actual murderer whose actions drive the central conflict. His presence complicates Barry’s masquerade and the pursuit of truth.

🕶️ Criminal 🎩 Nightlife 🗡️ Killer

Willetts (Robert Greig)

The loyal butler who mistakes Barry for the heir, illustrating how class expectations shape reactions to deception. His conduct reflects the social order within the mansion.

🏛️ Butler 💬 Witness 🧭 Social navigator

Judge Hammond (Selmer Jackson)

Patricia’s father and a key figure whose proximity to the victim stirs suspicions about motive and the reach of power. He embodies authority and the risk of bias in justice.

⚖️ Judge 🗣️ Authority 🧭 Gatekeeper

John Clark Reitter Sr. (Paul Everton)

The patriarch whose return frames the family’s ethics and the social stakes at play. He values reputation and propriety, influencing how the truth is managed within the family.

👨 Patriarch 🏛️ Respectability 🧭 Guidance

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:59

Major Themes – Midnight Intruder (1938)

Explore the central themes of Midnight Intruder (1938), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Identity

Barry Gilbert disguises himself as John Clark Reitter Jr., using a false identity to access the family and their affairs. The masquerade strains relationships with Patricia and Peggy and tests the boundaries between truth and performance. The plot turns on how a manufactured identity can influence trust, reputation, and outcomes. The resolution reveals the limits and consequences of living behind a convincing façade.

🕵️ Investigation

A murder of a political bigshot triggers a tense pursuit of truth, with Barry chasing a scoop while risking exposure. The killer, Luis Romano, is gradually unmasked, exposing how appearances can mislead even sharp observers. Barry’s amateur investigation creates friction with legitimate investigators and threatens fragile loyalties. In the end, John’s innocence is affirmed, underscoring the power of careful, fact-based inquiry.

💼 Ambition

Barry’s drive to revive his career pushes him into a dangerous masquerade that tests his ethics and relationships. The lure of a steady byline competes with the price of deception, shaping his choices under pressure. The newsroom dynamic with editor Bill Harwood frames ambition as a double-edged tool that can both propel and jeopardize a career. The story suggests reputations endure only when truth and loyalty prevail.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:59

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Midnight Intruder Summary

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Midnight Intruder Summary

Midnight Intruder Timeline

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Midnight Intruder Timeline

More About Midnight Intruder

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