It is hard to resist a film that has Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Blondell, Clark Gable and Charles Winninger together in the same film. It's great seeing them individually but seeing them in the same film like with 'Night Nurse' has potential for something special. Special is something 'Night Nurse' doesn't quite achieve, but it is thoroughly entertaining, deliciously dark and interesting.
There is not much else to what has already been said very well. 'Night Nurse' never felt dull, thanks to a fast and furious, but never rushed, pace and tight, meticulous direction that never felt too broad or too routine. This is in spite of the story being very silly and pretty paper thin, so credit is due for making something so entertaining and remarkably atmospheric out of such a story. Something that with the wrong execution could have easily significantly brought down the film, and although it is a weakness of the film in comparison to everything else it doesn't bring it down as much as it threatened to.
Did feel that some of the melodrama at times did go over-the-top with the camp and not all the comedy worked, being over-egged.
Most of it does work though, as there is a lot of snap and wit here that really does put a smile on the face. Some cracking lines here that are quotable too. The darker elements of 'Night Nurse' came over as genuinely suspenseful and almost scary without being traumatising. Like many others, was really surprised, and shocked, at how risque 'Night Nurse' (released pre-code, where things became significantly more restricted) was, and we are talking about a very high level of risque for the early 30s and for any decade for that matter.
'Night Nurse' looks good, particularly the stylish way it is shot. The atmosphere is brilliantly done throughout and as said the direction handles all of this deftly. The cast are what make 'Night Nurse' work so well, with Stanwyck on fierce form and Blondell's sass sparkling in every scene she appears in. Winninger is winningly benevolent, but the most interesting performance came from pre-stardom Gable, dripping with menace.
Altogether, despite a problematic story there is a lot to like here. 8/10
