thefilmarchive.org They Drive by Night is a 1938 British black-and-white, crime thriller, directed by Arthur B. Woods starring Ronald Shiner as Charlie, the café proprietor. It was produced by Warner Brothers – First National Productions. The film is based on the novel of the same name by James Curtis. The picture is sometimes confused with the 1940 American film, They Drive by Night, based on the novel The Long Haul by AI Bezzerides and featuring George Raft and Humphrey Bogart. “Shorty” Matthews (Emlyn Williams) having recently been released from prison visits his girlfriend in London only to discover her murdered. Fearing he will be wrongly accused of being the culprit he disappears amongst the long-distance lorry driving community. Meanwhile, the real killer, unassuming ex-schoolteacher Walter Hoover (Ernest Thesiger), continues to prey on London women. As Shorty had feared he has become the main suspect. He returns to London with old flame Molly to prove his innocence. Cast * Emlyn Williams as Shorty Matthews * Ernest Thesiger as Walter Hoover * Anna Konstam as Molly O’Neill * Allan Jeayes as Wally Mason * Anthony Holles as Murray * Ronald Shiner as Charlie, the café proprietor * William Hartnell as Bus Conductor James Curtis adapted his own novel, They Drive by Night to provide the screenplay for the film. The female victims of the book were prostitutes and to prevent censorship this aspect was watered down. Additionally, the book featured scenes of police brutality …