Why Claudia Dell didn't become a bigger star is a mystery. Her first starring role was in "Sweet Kitty Belairs" (1930) and she was very sweet, but all too soon musicals were out of vogue and by the next year Claudia had a minor role as Sylvia Sidney's mean sorority sister in the pretty dismal "Confessions of a Co-Ed". Still, she was around for a few years and made some pretty good programmers eg "Midnight Warning" (1932) and "A Woman Condemned" (1934) but there were also clinkers like "Midnight Phantom". Even though the credits were shadowed by a caped silhouette and the opening scenes had unusual photography with car chases and night club scenes, the music was almost jaunty - and that should have been a warning!!
The new police chief, James Sullivan (James Farley) is making many enemies as he vows to clean up corruption in the police department. His favourite phrase is "As long as I'm alive" but it isn't long before he isn't (alive that is). Before he expires he takes the time to pick fights with almost everyone in his department. Only Professor David Graham (Reginald Denny), a noted criminologist, escapes with praise. He is in love with Diana (Claudia Dell), the police chief's daughter, but she has just become engaged to Dan Burke (Lloyd Hughes), a respected policeman.
Sullivan also has a few skeletons in his cupboard. He is having an affair with his secretary, Kathleen Ryan (Barbara Bedford, a silent screen actress, who looks very stylish in this role). Kathleen is frightened of her mother (Mary Foley), an overbearing "mannish" policewoman, who in a scary scene bursts in and threatens Sullivan, unless he does the "honourable" thing. Burke is having problems as well - his crooked half brother has been slain in a robbery and Sullivan, in a fit of temper, withdraws his consent for Diana and Dan's engagement.
Sullivan organises a demonstration to be given by Graham at midnight (the only time Graham has free) of the various criminal types. The room is filled with Sullivan's enemies and just as the demonstration finishes Sullivan falls dead - poisoned by a drug from the Amazon. Before the doctor can pronounce his findings, he, too, is killed!!! Things happen pretty quickly after that - but the film has only about 5 minutes to go!
Although she is second billed, Claudia doesn't have a lot to do. Harley Wood, more at home in exploitation dramas such as "Marihuana" (1935), has a bit part as Miss Withers, the captain's daughter. Al St. John also has a bit as a radio operator.
The new police chief, James Sullivan (James Farley) is making many enemies as he vows to clean up corruption in the police department. His favourite phrase is "As long as I'm alive" but it isn't long before he isn't (alive that is). Before he expires he takes the time to pick fights with almost everyone in his department. Only Professor David Graham (Reginald Denny), a noted criminologist, escapes with praise. He is in love with Diana (Claudia Dell), the police chief's daughter, but she has just become engaged to Dan Burke (Lloyd Hughes), a respected policeman.
Sullivan also has a few skeletons in his cupboard. He is having an affair with his secretary, Kathleen Ryan (Barbara Bedford, a silent screen actress, who looks very stylish in this role). Kathleen is frightened of her mother (Mary Foley), an overbearing "mannish" policewoman, who in a scary scene bursts in and threatens Sullivan, unless he does the "honourable" thing. Burke is having problems as well - his crooked half brother has been slain in a robbery and Sullivan, in a fit of temper, withdraws his consent for Diana and Dan's engagement.
Sullivan organises a demonstration to be given by Graham at midnight (the only time Graham has free) of the various criminal types. The room is filled with Sullivan's enemies and just as the demonstration finishes Sullivan falls dead - poisoned by a drug from the Amazon. Before the doctor can pronounce his findings, he, too, is killed!!! Things happen pretty quickly after that - but the film has only about 5 minutes to go!
Although she is second billed, Claudia doesn't have a lot to do. Harley Wood, more at home in exploitation dramas such as "Marihuana" (1935), has a bit part as Miss Withers, the captain's daughter. Al St. John also has a bit as a radio operator.