Blues in the Night

Blues in the Night

Year: 1941

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Anatole Litvak

MusicDramaCrimeSong and danceEmotional life of renowned artists

Featuring the legendary big‑band leaders Jimmy Lunceford and Will Osborne, the film follows a down‑on‑its‑luck group that becomes entangled with a fugitive. Their involvement drags them into old rivalries and tangled love affairs, forcing the musicians to stay united while chasing musical success.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Blues in the Night (1941)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Blues in the Night (1941). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s

Set against a Depression-era backdrop of itinerant musicians and smoky clubs, the film follows a struggle for artistic authenticity. The touring lifestyle—rail journeys and shifting loyalties—defines the period's mood. The story blends hardship with the pursuit of a bluesy, modern sound.

Location

St. Louis, New Orleans, The Jungle (New Jersey roadhouse), New York City

The action starts in a St. Louis bar where the band forms, and moves to New Orleans in search of an authentic blues sound. They ride the rails and perform in dive bars and roadhouses across the country, chasing a new musical identity. The Jungle in New Jersey serves as the central hub, with New York City providing the urban stage where romance and ambition collide.

🎷 Jazz 🗺️ Road trip 🏙️ Urban nightlife 💰 Crime & gambling

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:36

Main Characters – Blues in the Night (1941)

Meet the key characters of Blues in the Night (1941), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Nickie Haroyen (Elia Kazan)

A charismatic jazz pianist who dreams of forming an authentic blues-infused band. He is quick-witted, loyal to his friends, and the driving force behind the early musical direction of the group. He balances ambition with camaraderie as the group endures jail, travel, and heartbreak.

🎼 musician 💡 ambitious 🧭 loyal

Jigger Pine (Richard Whorf)

A seasoned jazz pianist with a bluesy sensibility who anchors the band’s sound. He wrestles with fame, love, and later personal demons, but his passion for authentic jazz keeps the ensemble rooted. He ultimately supports his friends even as he struggles with internal turmoil.

🎹 pianist 🌀 troubled 💪 resilient

Kay Grant (Betty Field)

A talented singer who navigates romance with Del and Leo, using charm and ambition to influence events. She is capable of manipulation to protect her interests, yet shows vulnerability in love and loyalty to her chosen companions. Her choices drive much of the film’s moral conflict.

🎤 singer 🗝️ manipulator ❤️ torn

Ginger 'Character' Powell (Priscilla Lane)

A gifted singer known as 'Character' who becomes entwined in romance and career pressures. She grapples with jealousy and ambition while dealing with a complicated pregnancy and the band’s shifting loyalties. Her arc highlights the cost of success in a male-dominated industry.

🎤 vocalist 💔 conflicted 🚶‍♀️ ambitious

Leo Powell (Jack Carson)

A fast-talking trumpeter married to Character, who quickly shifts loyalties as he learns of pregnancy and relationships around him. He embodies the tension between professional ambition and personal ties, choosing truth over deception when faced with love and loss.

🎺 trumpeter 🧭 torn ❤️ loyal

Del Davis (Lloyd Nolan)

A prison-escaped thief who manipulates the band’s fortunes and vies for control of The Jungle. His dangerous ambitions threaten the group’s safety and tests their moral boundaries. His clash with Kay culminates in a fatal confrontation.

💼 criminal 💰 greedy 🗡️ dangerous

Sam Paryas (Howard Da Silva)

Kay’s ally in the criminal scheme, whose disability and loyalty keep him in the danger orbit of Del’s world. He becomes a casualty of the power struggle, illustrating the human cost of the gang’s actions.

🎭 loyal 🧭 follower ⚖️ victim

Brad Ames (Wallace Ford)

A disabled band member whose presence embodies resilience and moral complexity. He ultimately sacrifices himself in a dramatic storm crash, underscoring the film’s themes of loyalty and consequence.

🧱 resilience 🚗 risk-taker 🤝 loyal

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:36

Major Themes – Blues in the Night (1941)

Explore the central themes of Blues in the Night (1941), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎷 Jazz & Authenticity

The group fights to preserve a genuine blues-influenced sound rather than purely commercial jazz. Their music becomes a banner of identity amid shifting trends and temptations. The characters’ choices about performance and integrity drive much of the emotional arc.

🤝 Loyalty

Friendship keeps the band together through jail, robberies, and romantic betrayals. They watch each other’s backs during crises and medical downturns, emphasizing solidarity over individual gain. Loyalty is tested by love triangles and deadly choices, yet it sustains them on the road.

💰 Crime & Gambling

Del’s criminal world intrudes on their music life when he steals from them and turns The Jungle into a gambling club. The crew’s reluctance to betray Del complicates their moral balance, showing how crime corrupts trust. Kay’s manipulation is rooted in the promise of money and power.

🍷 Addiction & Turmoil

Jigger’s career and spirit falter as he battles alcoholism and mental strain after leaving the band. The band members rally to support him, revealing their deep bonds. The struggle with fame, failure, and personal demons underlines the era’s darker side.

⛈️ Tragedy & Sacrifice

The climax erupts in a stormy confrontation where Del is killed by Kay and Jigger’s protective stand. Brad’s sacrifice leads to a fatal car crash that kills Kay and Brad while the others continue their road life. The ending underscores how love and loyalty can end in tragedy.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:36

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Blues in the Night Summary

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Blues in the Night Summary

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Blues in the Night Timeline

More About Blues in the Night

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