Black Midnight
Black Midnight

Black Midnight

1949Movie66 minEnglish

A young man with a love of horses, Scott Jordan (Roddy McDowall) lives on the family ranch with his uncle Bill (Damian O’Flynn). When he buys a wild stallion from his black-sheep cousin Daniel (Rand Brooks), Scott names the horse Midnight and does his best to tame him. But when the sheriff (Sky King’s Kirby Grant) suspects the stallion was stolen and Daniel’s plan to get rid of the horse ends with a man being trampled, Scott must prove Midnight acted in self-defense before his uncle destroys him. The fourth of six films McDowall coproduced and starred in for Monogram Pictures, Black Midnight was directed by Oscar “Budd” Boetticher, whose seven Westerns with Randolph Scott are considered classics of the genre.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb5.5/10
Director: Victor SavageGenres: Drama, Western

Plot Summary

A young boy, orphaned after his parents are murdered by outlaws, is taken in by a kind doctor and his wife. He grows up with a strong sense of justice and a desire to avenge his parents. The story follows his journey as he confronts the men responsible for his family's demise.

Critical Reception

Black Midnight was a modest B-movie Western that garnered little attention upon its release. While it featured a young Roddy McDowall in a leading role, its narrative was considered somewhat predictable and its production values typical of lower-budget films of the era. Audience reception was lukewarm, with the film serving more as a programmer than a standout feature.

What Reviewers Say

  • A straightforward, if somewhat uninspired, Western tale of revenge.
  • Roddy McDowall delivers a capable performance as the determined protagonist.
  • The film's plot follows familiar Western tropes without significant innovation.

Google audience: Audience reviews for Black Midnight are scarce due to its limited release and age. What little is available suggests viewers found it to be a passable Western, appreciated for its clear storytelling but not particularly memorable.

Fun Fact

Roddy McDowall, who plays the central role of the vengeful boy, was already a seasoned actor at the age of 11, having appeared in films like 'How Green Was My Valley' and 'The Keys of the Kingdom'.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review