London After Midnight

by Marie Coolidge-Rask

The most successful of all the collaborations of director Tod Browning and legendary Lon Chaney, "The Man of a Thousand Faces," was LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT, their long-lost silent "Mystery-Thriller." But now Marie Coolidge-Rask's novelization (based on Browning's original screenplay) is back in print for the first time since its original publication, complete with its original photo-illustrations. Not a facsimile edition, this Couch Pumpkin Classics printing contains additional features exclusive to this edition, including "Transylvania to Prague via London ~ After Midnight" by THRILLER THEATRE host Margali Morwentari.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1928

Reviews

[Mark Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written prose but an entirely bizarre ending which changes the genre of the story you think you’re reading. I’m sure audiences at the time were completely surprised by the sensational climax of the film but as a reader of a book based on the script in 2021, it does slightly jar. Nonetheless it’s an entertaining read if you like gothic grandeur and the old black and white movies of the 1920s.

Would be fascinating to see the original film if they ever discover a copy in some long lost vault or collection somewhere….

[Sara Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this because I saw it on Whitechapel on TV. It was not what I expected at all. I thought it was a horror story so was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a crime novel. I managed to guess the story quite early on but it was still intriguing to read and kept me entertained.

[Michael John Paul McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that I read in less than two days. As a fan of Lon Chaney and the lost film, London After Midnight it gave me a great insight into what the film might ha e been like. But also how much the film differs to the actual story as stated in a chapter following the original story. Excellent pics from the film are set inbetween chapters. A must read for Chaney and Midnight fans.

[Gordon Kenyon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the closest I'll be able to approach the lost Lon Chaney Sr. classic silent film and an ably written but slightly obvious mystery novel besides.

[Cilibiu Dragos · Rating 4 out of 5]

It cand be a bit too old fashioned for modern readers but it's still a fun read.