What a Night!
The daughter of an industrialist, Dorothy Winston, arranges to work on a newspaper in which her father places a substantial amount of advertising, Joe Madison, the reporter son of the paper's editor, offers to show her the ropes. A gunman employed by Mike Corney lands in jail, and Dorothy succeeds in interviewing him, getting him to divulge the whereabouts of a canceled check that will link Corney to Patterson, a corrupt political boss. Dorothy and Joe get the check, and Joe telephones his father to urge him to print an exposé of Patterson. Corney recovers the check, however, and Patterson institutes a damaging libel suit against the paper. Dorothy gets the check back and obtains photographic evidence to further incriminate Patterson and Corney. Dorothy and Joe decide to write the story of their life with each another. A lost film.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young woman, portrayed by Alice White, finds herself in a predicament after a night of excessive drinking. She wakes up with no memory of her actions and is facing a potential marriage to a man she doesn't know, due to a drunken promise. She attempts to retrace her steps and uncover what transpired during the night to resolve her complicated situation.
Critical Reception
Upon its release, 'What a Night!' was met with mixed reviews. While some critics praised its comedic elements and Alice White's energetic performance, others found its plot somewhat contrived and its humor to be hit-or-miss. The film's exploration of societal norms and female agency was also a point of discussion, though not always favorably received.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its lively pace and Alice White's captivating screen presence.
- Criticized for a plot that some found predictable or melodramatic.
- Acknowledged for its attempt to tackle modern themes of female independence.
Google audience: Audience reception information for 'What a Night!' from 1928 is not readily available. Contemporary reviews suggest a divided opinion, with some appreciating its comedic flair and others finding fault with its narrative execution.
Fun Fact
Edgar G. Ulmer, known for his more expressionistic and often darker films, directed 'What a Night!' relatively early in his career, showcasing a different side of his directorial capabilities.
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