Bloodhounds of Broadway

Bloodhounds of Broadway

Year: 1989

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

RomanceComedyDrama

Set in 1930s New York, the musical adapts Damon Runyon tales. Gambler Feet Samuels agrees to a scientific experiment as he learns Hortense loves him and chooses life. Harriet mourns her dead parrot. “Regret,” a gambler, becomes a murder suspect chased by bloodhounds. “The Brain” bleeds out, and his friends rush to find a transfusion.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Bloodhounds of Broadway yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Bloodhounds of Broadway (1989) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Bloodhounds of Broadway (1989), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Broadway, New Year’s Eve, 1929 unfolds through the keen eye of a muckraking reporter, Waldo Winchester Josef Sommer, who weave four major stories into one feverish night. In a smoky diner, The Brain Rutger Hauer, a gangster with a string of girlfriends, lounges with a gambler named Regret Matt Dillon and an enigmatic outsider who, with his bloodhounds, is being treated to a meal. Feet Samuels [Randy Quaid] is there too, hopelessly in love with Hortense Hathaway Madonna, a showgirl who has just been kicked out of the diner because of a tainted reputation. Feet plans to squeeze in one last wild night before sealing his fate with a suicide, having already sold his body to a medical doctor to dodge a bet he can’t win back. The air is thick with risk, longing, and a sense that every choice could tilt the city into chaos.

Harriet MacKyle Julie Hagerty, a sheltered yet curious socialite, schemes for a grand party at her estate that very night, drawn to the allure of danger and the promise of something more thrilling than polite society. A flower girl wanders in after Feet settles a debt with The Brain, who vaguely permits her to keep the change as a sly, half-acccepted gesture. But violence erupts when a hitman for the Brooklyn Mob stabs the gangster, leaving him wounded and bleeding in a chaotic rush. The Brain’s last command—to take him “home”—is met with resistance from his multitude of lovers, who refuse to let him return to a place that may swallow him whole.

Feet dives into a high-stakes craps game and rides a surprising wave of fortune, winning a treasure trove of cash and jewelry. Regret presses on, urging them to pivot to another game, but Feet holds firm to a promise sealed in blood and bravado: his decision to end it all. The reporter in Waldo Winchester is urged to intervene from the party, dialing up Hortense Hathaway to convey Feet’s deep, almost desperate, crush on her, a plea that adds another fragile thread to the night’s tangled web. Hortense must weigh the lure of a more glamorous life against the pull of something steadier: moving to New Jersey and starting a family, a wavering dream that could redefine her future.

Meanwhile, Regret remains the world’s unluckiest gambler, a perpetual streak of bad luck shadowing every bet, every decision, and every chance at redemption. Lovey Lou Jennifer Grey, a showgirl with a stubborn heart, loves him despite the odds—an emotional counterpoint to Feet’s doomed night and the other characters who drift in and out of Harriet MacKyle’s glittering, perilous party. As the city’s pulse thrums with music, whispers, and the grit of survival, the night sprawls open into a mosaic of desire, risk, and the fragile hope that even in a world built on frauds and fates, some truths might still surface when the clock strikes twelve.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:31

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Bloodhounds of Broadway

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

Bloodhounds of Broadway Timeline

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

Bloodhounds of Broadway Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Bloodhounds of Broadway

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Bloodhounds of Broadway. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Bloodhounds of Broadway

More About Bloodhounds of Broadway

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

More About Bloodhounds of Broadway

Similar Movies to Bloodhounds of Broadway

Discover movies like Bloodhounds of Broadway 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.