Year: 1941
Runtime: 57 mins
Language: English
Director: William C. McGann
A reporter and a police detective sort through the clues in a night-club owner’s murder.
Get a spoiler-free look at A Shot in the Dark (1941) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the smoky underbelly of a bustling city, a popular night‑club becomes the unlikely focal point of a tangled web of ambition, romance, and hidden agendas. The owner, a charismatic figure poised to seal a marriage and hand over his business, finds his plans thrust into uncertainty, setting a tone of restless anticipation that permeates the neon‑lit streets and hushed back rooms.
Into this precarious situation steps Peter Kennedy, a tenacious reporter whose curiosity is matched only by his quiet affection for the club’s sultry singer. Alongside him, William Ryder, a disciplined police lieutenant, brings a methodical eye to the murky affairs swirling around the venue. Their partnership—equal parts collaboration and subtle rivalry—drives the investigation forward, each probing the same clues from opposite sides of the law.
Surrounding them are a cast of characters whose loyalties shift as quickly as the music changes tempo. Helen Armstrong, the soon‑to‑be bride, shields secrets behind a poised exterior, while her brother Roger exudes a restless energy that hints at deeper involvement. Clare Winters, an ex‑girlfriend with a volatile past, adds an edge of unpredictability, and George Kilpatrick, the prospective buyer, eyes the club with business ambitions that could upend everything. Meanwhile, Dixie Waye commands the stage with a voice that draws both admiration and jealousy, becoming a silent fulcrum for the surrounding tensions.
The film’s atmosphere blends classic noir shadows with the glimmer of post‑war optimism, weaving together whispers of desire, ambition, and danger. As the reporter and detective sift through half‑remembered testimonies and lingering doubts, the audience is invited to linger in the dim corridors of intrigue, wondering which hidden truth will finally surface in this world where every smile may conceal a motive and every note of music could be a clue.
Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 10:03
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Unravel a crime where the glamorous setting hides dark secrets.If you enjoyed the sleuthing in the shadowy nightclub of A Shot in the Dark, you'll like these movies. This collection features similar murder mysteries set in morally ambiguous, glamorous underworlds where every character has a motive. Find more films with tense investigations and romantic subplots entwined with crime.
Stories in this thread typically follow a procedural investigation that peels back the layers of a close-knit, often glamorous, community. The plot revolves around uncovering hidden relationships, jealousies, and past grievances among a confined group of suspects, leading to a revelation that often implicates someone within that world.
Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a crime investigation deeply embedded in a distinctive, atmospheric setting. They share a tone of tense suspicion, a steady pacing of clue revelation, and a complexity that comes from intertwined personal motives within a specific social microcosm.
Cases where solving the crime leaves personal lives unresolved.Fans of A Shot in the Dark who appreciated its complex resolution will find similar stories here. These are movies where the criminal is caught, but the ending feels bittersweet or mixed due to unresolved personal drama or emotional consequences. Discover more crime dramas that balance closure with ambiguity.
The narrative pattern involves a central investigation that runs parallel to character-driven subplots, often romantic. While the plot reaches a logical conclusion with the mystery solved, the emotional arcs of the characters do not achieve neat closure, resulting in an ending that feels professionally successful but personally complicated.
These films are connected by their shared emotional structure: a blend of procedural satisfaction and personal disappointment. They balance a medium emotional weight, delivering on the crime-solving premise while introducing enough complexity in the characters' lives to prevent a purely happy ending.
Don't stop at just watching — explore A Shot in the Dark in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Shot in the Dark is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of A Shot in the Dark, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of A Shot in the Dark with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape A Shot in the Dark. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about A Shot in the Dark: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like A Shot in the Dark that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
A Shot in the Dark (1941) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
A Shot in the Dark (1941) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
A Shot in the Dark (1941) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like A Shot in the Dark – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Murder in the Dark (1986) Ending Explained & Film Insights
A Shot in the Dark (2005) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Murder in the Dark (1986) Story Summary & Characters
A Night for Crime (1943) Film Overview & Timeline
Scene of the Crime (1949) Complete Plot Breakdown
Shot (1973) Movie Recap & Themes
The Dark Corner (1946) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Shoot to Kill (1947) Story Summary & Characters
The Shot in the Talker Studio (1930) Film Overview & Timeline
The Night Club Lady (1932) Detailed Story Recap
Crime by Night (1944) Complete Plot Breakdown
Night Editor (1946) Detailed Story Recap
The Dark Hour (1936) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Dark City (1950) Film Overview & Timeline
So Dark the Night (1946) Full Movie Breakdown