Based on a 1907 Broadway hit by Augustus Thomas previously filmed in 1916 and 1921 and here unobtrusively set in the original period, 'The Witching Hour' is an interesting hybrid of pre-Code crime film and silent romantic fantasy by the director of 'Peter Ibbetson' and 'True Grit' combining courtroom drama with a smiling Victorian ghost straight out of 'Smilin' Thru'.John Halliday is as usual excellent as the owner of a gambling den always one step ahead of the law with the aid of involuntary telepathic ability; and there's an unusual flashback in which the narrator tells us what he remembered while what we are shown is what actually happened.

Although based on an old-fashioned stage play and, as a result, almost completely dialogue-bound, "The Witching Hour" (1934) turns out to be a much more involving movie than you would expect, thanks to its superior cast, led by Sir Guy Standing and John Halliday. True, director Henry Hathaway was not exactly at home in a court-room. Real locations - particularly locations that were hard to reach and had rarely, if ever, previously been invaded by a motion picture unit - were his number one choice. Nonetheless, Hathaway certainly gives this film a most welcome dose of vitality.Hathaway is ably assisted , of course, by all the players. None of them put a foot wrong. And it should be mentioned that their performances are all their own work. Hathaway does not direct dialogue. He expects his players not just to know their lines, but to know how they should be played!

Provided you understand that what happens is impossible AND you can suspend disbelief, then you'll enjoy the film. All I know is that with all the training I've had in hypnotherapy, I would sure use these powers for evil if they worked like they did in the movie!!Jack Brookfield (John Halliday) has an amazing ability to read people's thoughts and also has a very strong and forceful personality. Without realizing it, he hypnotizes a young man and Brookfield's hatred of another man gets the hypnotized guy to commit murder to please Brookfield! It's a bit odd...and the second half is all about the court case which follows.The film is very original and interesting. Just understand that you cannot project your thoughts onto others to get them to kill...believe me, I have tried!

From watching The Witching Hour, you find out one thing: William Frawley (Fred Mertz) looked the same at 37 as he did in his fifties and sixties.The story concerns a man, Jack Brookfield (John Halliday) whose daughter is engaged to Clay Thorne (Tom Brown). Brookfield has a strong sixth sense - he calls them hunches - and they rarely let him down, though he refuses to use them for gambling. One night he sees that Clay is terrified of a cat's eye ring and tries to convince him it's nothing. In the midst of their conversation, a man arrives, and he and Jack have a confrontation which ends in Jack threatening to kill him and ordering the butler to throw him out. As Clay leaves, his future father-in-law tells him to hold onto the ring and again reinforce that it's nothing to fear.The following day, the man who visited Jack is found dead after Clay goes to his place and kills him. Clay is arrested but has no defense. He doesn't remember anything about the murder.Very good movie, with an expected dose of melodrama, based on what I think is a false premise but probably was believed back then. I don't think hypnotism can make you do things you wouldn't ordinarily do. However, that's what makes the film fun.The other question is, is it hypnosis or the power of Jack's mind that brings on the event? Don't know.Sir Guy Standing is wonderful as the Judge, a friend of Clay's mother, who, though long retired, is persuaded to take the case.Besides the familiar Frawley as the jury foreman, Jack's daughter is played by Judith Allen who, like Alice White, had a more interesting life off-screen than on, often making the tabloids. Tom Brown enjoyed a 55-year career in show business, including playing Al Weeks on General Hospital.Fast moving and well-directed by Henry Hathaway, this is a lost gem well worth seeing.