They Drive by Night (1938): cast, story & where to watch
1938 · Film · ★ 5.8
Released in 1938, They Drive by Night is a thriller and crime film directed by Arthur B. Woods, running about 84 minutes.
What it’s about. “Shorty” Matthews 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, 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.
Who’s in it. They Drive by Night stars Emlyn Williams as Shorty Matthews, Ernest Thesiger as Walter Hoover, Anna Konstam as Molly O'Neill and Allan Jeayes as Wally Mason, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.8/10, They Drive by Night has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch They Drive by Night page.
If you liked it. Fans of They Drive by Night tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch They Drive by Night (1938)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for They Drive by Night change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is They Drive by Night worth watching?
- They Drive by Night holds an audience score of 5.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller and crime. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in They Drive by Night?
- They Drive by Night stars Emlyn Williams, Ernest Thesiger, Anna Konstam, Allan Jeayes and Anthony Holles.
- When was They Drive by Night released?
- They Drive by Night was released in 1938, with a runtime of about 84 minutes.