Step into the shadowy world of 1930s nightclub intrigue with The Night Club Lady, a captivating mystery thriller from 1932, now beautifully colorized for a modern viewing experience. Directed by Irving Cummings, this film delivers a gripping tale of murder, blackmail, and revenge, set against the glitzy backdrop of New York City’s nightlife. Perfect for fans of vintage cinema and noir thrillers, this HD download brings a forgotten gem of cinematic history back to life.
Based on Anthony Abbot’s detective novel About the Murder of the Night Club Lady, this film introduces Police Commissioner Thatcher Colt (Adolphe Menjou), a sharp investigator drawn into the mysterious death of Lola Carewe (Mayo Methot), a glamorous nightclub owner.
Lola receives death threats but insists on attending her club’s New Year’s Eve party. There, Colt saves her from an attempted shooting, only for her to die mysteriously at midnight in her apartment. While Dr. Lengle claims she succumbed to a heart attack, Colt suspects foul play. His investigation uncovers Lola’s history of blackmailing her acquaintances, giving each suspect a motive for murder.
As the plot thickens, Colt discovers that Lola was killed by a scorpion planted in her robe—a chillingly unique murder weapon. The story crescendos with Colt assembling the suspects for a dramatic reenactment that reveals Mrs. Carewe (Lola’s mother) as the murderer. Driven by revenge for her son Basil’s suicide years earlier due to Lola’s actions, Mrs. Carewe confesses before taking her own life. This thrilling mystery wraps up with Colt’s clever tactics and unwavering determination to uncover the truth.
Adolphe Menjou as Police Commissioner Thatcher Colt
Mayo Methot as Lola Carewe
Richard ‘Skeets’ Gallagher as Tony
Ruthelma Stevens as Miss Kelly
Louise Fazenda as Mrs. Carewe
The Night Club Lady blends elements of noir mystery and thriller with subtle touches of drama and suspense. Its atmospheric setting and intricate plot make it an enthralling addition to early Hollywood’s crime genre.
Released in 1932 during Hollywood’s pre-code era, The Night Club Lady represents an intriguing chapter in cinematic history when filmmakers explored darker themes without censorship constraints. It was also one of Columbia Pictures’ early ventures into serialized detective stories, intended to kickstart a series based on Anthony Abbot’s Thatcher Colt mysteries.
Though only one sequel (The Circus Queen Murders, 1933) followed, The Night Club Lady stands out for its innovative storytelling and unique murder method—a scorpion bite—which set it apart from other films of its time.
This colorized version breathes new life into the film’s visuals, enhancing its dramatic lighting and opulent nightclub settings. Using advanced digital techniques, each frame has been meticulously restored to preserve its original noir atmosphere while adding vibrant hues that highlight costumes, props, and set designs.
The colorization process involved restoring monochrome footage, selecting appropriate palettes for each scene, and applying dynamic tones to ensure realism while maintaining the film’s vintage charm.
: Irving Cummings
: Robert Riskin
: Teddy Tetzlaff
: Maurice Wright
: Columbia Pictures Corporation
: 66 minutes
: MP4
: HD (1080p)
: Compatible with smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs
While not as widely recognized as other films from the era, The Night Club Lady is celebrated by noir enthusiasts for its inventive plot and strong performances. Adolphe Menjou shines as Thatcher Colt, delivering both charisma and intellect in his portrayal of the determined police commissioner.
Mayo Methot’s performance as Lola Carewe adds depth to the doomed nightclub owner whose secrets unravel posthumously. Her role in this film marks one of her most notable screen appearances before transitioning away from Hollywood.
: What is The Night Club Lady about?
A: It’s a mystery thriller centered on Police Commissioner Thatcher Colt investigating the murder of nightclub owner Lola Carewe.
: Is this version colorized?
A: Yes! This HD download features a professionally colorized restoration that enhances the film’s visual appeal.
: Who stars in The Night Club Lady?
A: Adolphe Menjou leads as Thatcher Colt alongside Mayo Methot as Lola Carewe.
: What makes this film unique?
A: Its inventive murder method—a scorpion bite—sets it apart from typical crime dramas.
: Is The Night Club Lady part of a series?
A: It was intended to launch a series based on Anthony Abbot’s detective novels but only one sequel followed.
Experience Noir Intrigue with The Night Club Lady Today!