It was shot in ten days. It was also known as Dead of Night. Reception When the film was released the film critic for The New York Times panned the film, writing, "Fear in the Night, a minor shocker which opened at the Rialto yesterday, is just about as ridiculous as any that comes in this line ... It is not only silly but rather dull. DeForest Kelley is dopey as the fall guy and Paul Kelly is brisk as his detective friend." More recently, film critic Dennis Schwartz was more positive and liked the film, writing, "An excellent low-budget psychological thriller directed and written by Maxwell Shane that is based on the story "Nightmare" by Cornell Woolrich. Cinematographer Greenhalgh's shadowy black and white photography gives it a film noir look ... The taut pulp story, dreamy atmospheric settings and brooding mood throughout, all serve the film well. The crisp acting was just right. DeForest Kelley, in his debut performance, does a fine job as the innocent victim." See also List of films in the public domain in the United States References External links Fear in the Night informational site and DVD review at DVD Beaver (includes images) Fear in the Night analysis by author Thomas C. Renzi at Film Noir of the Week Review at Variety Streaming audio Nightmare on Suspense: March 13, 1948. Radio drama of story on which the movie was based. 1947 films 1940s crime thriller films American black-and-white films Film noir Films about hypnosis Films based on short fiction Films directed by Maxwell Shane Paramount Pictures films Films based on works by Cornell Woolrich American crime thriller films 1940s English-language films 1940s American films