Before Midnight (1933)
A pre-Code mystery from Columbia Pictures in which a detective races to unmask the killer of a man who predicted his own death.
Before Midnight - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1933
- Directed by: Lambert Hillyer
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 3m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 18, 1933 (United States - NR)
- Production Companies: Columbia Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Before Midnight - Plot
A detective tries to figure out who killed a man who predicted his own death.
Where to Watch Before Midnight
Looking for where to watch Before Midnight?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Before Midnight - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Lambert Hillyer
Main Cast
- Ralph Bellamy
- June Collyer
- Claude Gillingwater
- Bradley Page
- Betty Blythe
- Arthur Pierson
- George Cooper
- William Jeffrey
- Joseph Crehan
- Otto Yamaoka
Writers
- Robert Quigley
Before Midnight - FAQs
What is Before Midnight (1933) about?
Before Midnight follows Inspector Steve Trent, a sharp-eyed detective played by Ralph Bellamy, as he investigates the murder of a man who eerily foresaw his own death. The film is a brisk pre-Code whodunit packed with suspects, secrets, and a ticking-clock atmosphere that keeps you guessing until the final reveal.
Is Before Midnight (1933) based on a true story?
No, Before Midnight is not based on a true story. It's an original pre-Code mystery scripted by Robert Quigley, built around the classic whodunit premise of a victim who predicts his own murder — a clever hook that drives the entire investigation forward.
Where can you watch Before Midnight (1933)?
You can check current streaming availability for Before Midnight on JustWatch, which tracks where the film is available to rent, buy, or stream in your region. Options may vary depending on your location and local platform libraries.
Who plays the detective in Before Midnight?
Ralph Bellamy plays Inspector Steve Trent, the lead detective tasked with unraveling the mystery. Bellamy was a prolific character actor of the 1930s known for playing dependable, no-nonsense investigators, and he brings exactly that grounded energy to this Columbia Pictures production.
What does the tagline of Before Midnight mean?
The tagline — "Fate wound the clock of death and released its spring at the stroke of twelve" — sets up the film's central mystery: a man who predicted the exact moment of his own death. It's a poetic way of framing the murder as something almost inevitable, adding a fatalistic chill to the story.
Who directed Before Midnight (1933)?
Lambert Hillyer directed Before Midnight. A versatile Hollywood craftsman of the era, Hillyer was known for working efficiently across genres — from Westerns to crime pictures. He later directed Dracula's Daughter (1936), showing his range across both mystery and horror territory.
Is Before Midnight (1933) a pre-Code Hollywood film?
Yes, Before Midnight is a pre-Code Hollywood film, released in November 1933 before the strict enforcement of the Hays Code in 1934. Pre-Code films often featured edgier content and moral ambiguity, and this mystery benefits from that looser atmosphere with its darker themes and sharper dramatic tension.
What are some films similar to Before Midnight (1933)?
If you enjoy Before Midnight's classic detective mystery style, you might also like Another Thin Man (1939), Song of the Thin Man (1947), or The Mirror Crack'd (1980). These films share a similar whodunit spirit, featuring clever investigators, ensemble casts of suspects, and satisfying mystery resolutions.
More About Before Midnight
Explore further details and databases for Before Midnight.