Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 27, 2026

Midnight Alibi

Midnight Alibi is a 1934 American pre-Code crime comedy drama film directed by Alan Crosland, produced by First National Pictures, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and starring Richard Barthelmess. The film is an adaptation of Damon Runyon's 1933 short story The Old Doll's House. This was Barthelmess' last film for First National after 15 years at the studio.

Last revised
Jun 27, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
331 w
Citations
4
Source
Midnight Alibi
Directed byAlan Crosland
Screenplay byWarren Duff
Based on
The Old Doll House
1933 story in Collier's
by Damon Runyon
Produced byRobert Presnell Sr.
StarringRichard Barthelmess
Ann Dvorak
Helen Chandler
CinematographyWilliam Rees
Edited byJack Killifer
Music byHeinz Roemheld
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release date
  • July 14, 1934 (1934-07-14)
Running time
58 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Midnight Alibi is a 1934 American pre-Code crime comedy drama film directed by Alan Crosland, produced by First National Pictures, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and starring Richard Barthelmess.1 The film is an adaptation of Damon Runyon's 1933 short story The Old Doll's House.2 This was Barthelmess' last film for First National after 15 years at the studio.

A print of the film is preserved at the Library of Congress.3 The film is also available on DVD on demand from the Warner Archive.4

Plot

A gangster returns to New York after some time in Europe and falls in love with Joan, unaware that she's the younger sister of his bitter rival, Angie the Ox. After an attempted hit on him, he seeks refuge in the home of an old lady, who tells him of her own romance many years ago with a man who looked just like him. Their friendship will prove useful later when he is accused of murder.

Cast

References

References

  1. The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: Midnight Alibi
  2. NYTimes.com: Movie Review Midnight Alibi - Old Doll's House
  3. Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection and The United Artists Collection at The Library of Congress page 116, c.1978 by The American Film Institute
  4. dvd-on-demand; Warner Archive
External links