Behind the News

Behind the News

Year: 1940

Runtime: 75 mins

Language: English

Director: Joseph Santley

CrimeDrama

A fast‑paced drama set in a bustling city newsroom, starring Lloyd Nolan as a cynical reporter who constantly risks his career, and Frank Albertson as an eager cub fresh from journalism school whose presence irritates his colleagues. When Albertson runs afoul of the law, he helps expose and break up a racketeering ring. The film was later remade by Republic as Headline Hunters.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Behind the News (1940)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Behind the News (1940). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

The Enquirer newsroom, District Attorney's Office, Face's sister's apartment, Courthouse, Radio Station

The Enquirer newsroom is the central hub where Jeff and Stu chase the truth amid deadlines. The District Attorney's Office represents the political machinery behind prosecutions and potential corruption. Face's sister's apartment becomes a key crime-scene setting, while the courthouse and radio station symbolize public forums where truth is contested.

📰 Newspaper 🕵️ Investigation 🏛️ City life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:05

Main Characters – Behind the News (1940)

Meet the key characters of Behind the News (1940), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jeff Flavin (Frank Albertson)

A freshly graduated journalist who is eager and idealistic. He pushes beyond the initial harsh mentorship, taking initiative in a high-stakes case and proving the value of investigative reporting. His persistence helps uncover corruption and defend the pursuit of truth.

🧭 Ambition 🕵️ Investigation

Stuart Woodrow (Lloyd Nolan)

An experienced reporter whose skepticism about newcomers masks a commitment to the craft. He clashes with Jeff but eventually recognizes the rookie's tenacity and supports his growth. Their dynamic highlights a tension between tradition and modern journalism.

🕵️‍♂️ Mentor 🔄 Conflict

Barbara Shaw (Doris Davenport)

Stu's fiancée and Kelly's secretary, she is placed at the intersection of personal and political loyalties. Her involvement underscores how personal relationships can influence professional judgments in a newsroom-styled political drama.

💼 Workplace 💘 Relationships

Vic Archer (Robert Armstrong)

The editor who hopes to rekindle the old man's spark and guide Jeff's career, yet is also confronted with corruption and the fallout from risky reporting. He balances professional compromises with the integrity of the newsroom.

🏢 Editor 🧭 Guidance

D. A. Hardin S. Kelly (Paul Harvey)

A powerful district attorney who manipulates prosecutions for political gain and re-election. He embodies institutional corruption and demonstrates the dangers of politics influencing justice.

🏛️ Corruption ⚖️ Power

Carlos Marquez (Charles Stevens)

The defendant falsely convicted of a murder due to misinterpretation and flawed journalism. His case becomes the central platform for examining justice and truth.

⚖️ Justice ⚠️ Miscarriage of justice

Tomas Almedo (Frank Puglia)

A figure involved in the murder investigation; while not elaborated in the summary, he appears as part of the case surrounding the crime and its courtroom drama.

🧩 Minor character 🗂️ Case

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:05

Major Themes – Behind the News (1940)

Explore the central themes of Behind the News (1940), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔎 Investigation vs Corruption

The film centers on uncovering truth amid corruption within politics and law enforcement. Jeff's persistence challenges the established narratives and demonstrates journalism's power to confront entrenched interests. The tension between sensationalism and accuracy drives the story forward.

👥 Mentorship and Rivalry

A veteran reporter mentors a rookie, but their relationship is strained by pride and skepticism. Jeff's tenacity tests the older generation's approach, leading to growth and a reevaluation of newsroom dynamics. The dynamic highlights the ethical balance between experience and fresh inquiry.

⚖️ Truth vs Due Process

Misinterpretation and rushed convictions threaten the innocent, underscoring the risk of faulty journalism. Jeff's willingness to revisit the case shows journalism's role in safeguarding due process. The eventual uncovering of corruption reinforces the need for careful evidence and verification.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:05

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Explore Movie Threads

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.

Urgent newsroom dramas like in Behind the News

Fast-paced stories where journalists chase the truth against a ticking clock.If you liked the fast-paced, tense atmosphere of 'Behind the News', you'll find more movies like it here. These films capture the urgency of investigative journalism, featuring gritty newsrooms, high-stakes exposés, and reporters dedicated to uncovering the truth.

urgenttensegrittyinvestigativeprofessionalfast-pacedhopeful

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow journalists or reporters who are racing against time to break a major story, often involving corruption or crime. The narrative is propelled by deadlines, professional rivalries, and the ethical dilemmas of reporting, culminating in a public vindication of the truth.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared focus on the journalistic process, a tense and fast-paced tone, and a setting defined by the urgency of news production. They deliver a specific, cohesive vibe of professional dedication under pressure.

Buddy reporter duos like in Behind the News

A seasoned cynic and an idealistic newcomer clash but unite to crack the case.Fans of the professional friction and eventual camaraderie in 'Behind the News' will enjoy these similar movies. Discover other stories featuring the classic 'cynic and rookie' dynamic, where clashing personalities must learn to work together to solve a crime or expose corruption.

professional rivalrymentorshipbuddy dynamictensecharacter-drivenhopeful

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a central partnership that begins with conflict and professional rivalry. Through the challenges of a high-stakes investigation, the pair's initial animosity gives way to mutual respect and mentorship, with both characters undergoing significant growth by the story's end.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their central character dynamic, which drives both the conflict and the emotional arc. The blend of tense investigation with character-driven mentorship and rivalry creates a distinct and satisfying narrative experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Behind the News

Don't stop at just watching — explore Behind the News 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 Behind the News is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Behind the News Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Behind the News, 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.

Behind the News Summary

Behind the News Timeline

Track the full timeline of Behind the News with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Behind the News Timeline

Behind the News Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Behind the News that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Behind the News Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Behind the News

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Behind the News: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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