Deadline at Dawn (1946)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Harold Clurman

Writers:

Clifford Odets (screenplay)
Cornell Woolrich (novel)

Release Date:

3 April 1946 (USA)

Genre:

Film-Noir | Mystery | Romance

Plot:

A sailor on leave appears to have killed a woman. He has until dawn to find the real killer, aided by a weary dance hall girl.

Plot Keywords:

Dance | Dance Hall | Sailor | False Accusation | Male Female Relationship

Cast

Susan Hayward	...	June Goth
Paul Lukas	...	Gus Hoffman
Bill Williams	...	Alex Winkley
Joseph Calleia	...	Val Bartelli
Osa Massen	...	Helen Robinson
Lola Lane	...	Edna Bartelli
Jerome Cowan	...	Lester Brady
Marvin Miller	...	Sleepy Parsons
Roman Bohnen	...	Frantic Man with Injured Cat
Steven Geray	...	Gloved Man (Edward Hornick)
Joe Sawyer	...	Babe Dooley
Constance Worth	...	Mrs. Nan Raymond
Joseph Crehan	...	Lt. Kane
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sammy Blum	...	Sam - Taxi Driver (scenes deleted)
Jack Daley	...	Snoring Man (scenes deleted)
Myrna Dell	...	Hatcheck Girl (scenes deleted)
Mike Donovan	...	Sweating Trickster (scenes deleted)
Edmund Glover	...	Taxi Driver (scenes deleted)
Dorothy Granger	...	Ticket Girl (scenes deleted)
John Ince	...	Elderly Sleeper (scenes deleted)
Lee Phelps	...	Philosophical Policeman (scenes deleted)

Runtime:

83 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #10937, General Audience)

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

The only film directed by legendary stage director Harold Clurman.

Quotes:

Gus Hoffman: Who are you?
Val Bartelli: Who wants to know?
Gus Hoffman: A man with a gun in his hands.

Movie Connections:

Version of Akai shisen (1980) (TV)

Interesting murder mystery with young and lovely Susan Hayward

I have watched this film twice, and each time I was spellbound. It's a nice, tight little murder mystery that keeps your interest throughout the picture.

I watched this film being a Susan Hayward fan, and if you like her, you won't be disappointed. She plays a tough broad with a heart of gold underneath her city hardened exterior. However, the film stands on its own with solid performances, a surprise ending, a nice feel for Manhattan, some interesting dialogue, and an interesting plot.

According to the trivia posted, Bill Williams, the sailor, in real life was the father of William Katt, the star of the 1980's TV show "The Greatest American Hero" and also of the 1981 video stage version of "Pippin" with Martha Raye. I wondered who Bill was since he was not a well remembered name for audiences today.

It's worth watching, especially since you get a feel for the 1940's era with patriotic sailors, dance halls, nightclubs, and denizens of the long forgotten decade.