Dangerously They Live

Dangerously They Live

Year: 1941

Runtime: 77 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Florey

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SUSPENSE That Makes Every Whisper On The Screen Echo Like Thunder! A New York City doctor tries to rescue a young woman from Nazi agents.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Dangerously They Live (1941)

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

Time period

1930s

Set in the late 1930s, during a period when Nazi espionage activities threaten American soil. The story reflects pre-war tensions, with spy networks operating clandestinely in a major American city. Technology like ambulances and telegraph communication frames the suspense of investigations.

Location

New York City, Goodwin Mansion

New York City provides the bustling urban backdrop for a covert Nazi operation. The Goodwin Mansion is a heavily staffed residence central to the plot, masking espionage behind a veil of domestic luxury. Hospitals and city streets serve as the contrast between everyday life and clandestine danger.

🗽 Cityscape 🏛️ Mansion 🏥 Hospital

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:57

Main Characters – Dangerously They Live (1941)

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

Dr. Michael 'Mike' Lewis (John Garfield)

An ambitious medical intern whose fascination with amnesia draws him into a dangerous Nazi spy case. He is curious, principled, and willing to push boundaries to uncover the truth. He fights to protect Jane and expose the ring, even as he is framed and endangered.

🧠 Intelligent 🔎 Investigative ⚖️ Principled

Jane Greystone (Nancy Coleman)

A woman who awakens with amnesia and claims to be British intelligence. She is resourceful, determined, and committed to uncovering the Nazi spy ring. Her fearlessness and willingness to risk herself drive the investigation forward.

🧭 Resourceful 🎯 Determined 🧠 Intelligent

Mr. John Goodwin (Moroni Olsen)

A wealthy, protective patriarch who asserts that Jane is his daughter and maintains a heavily staffed mansion. His facade hides deeper motives and possible complicity with the spy network. He is controlling and suspicious, adding tension to Mike and Jane's efforts.

💼 Wealthy 🕵️‍♂️ Suspicious 🎭 Deceptive

Dr. Ingersoll (Raymond Massey)

A renowned specialist who becomes the film's antagonist. He uses medical authority to manipulate Mike and Jane, pushing a dangerous agenda. His cool intelligence and ruthless tactics reveal the dangers of professional power when aligned with espionage.

🧠 Intelligent 🗡️ Ruthless 🎭 Ambitious

Dr. Murdock (Roland Drew)

A physician at the hospital who encounters Mike and Jane during the investigation. He represents a medical voice of reason who is drawn into the swirl of espionage by proximity to the case. He provides critical medical context and helps connect events in the hospital setting.

🧪 Medical 🛡️ Loyal 👨‍⚕️ Professional

Mr. Steiner (Christian Rub)

A reluctant German agent who balks at kidnapping and is kept prisoner. He manages to warn Mike by slipping a note, showing a conflict between duty to the regime and personal ethics. His actions influence the plot's pivot toward exposing the network.

🧭 Reluctant 🗡️ Cunning 🧠 Clever

U-Boat Captain Horst (Henry Victor)

A Nazi naval officer who embodies the spy network's threat. He coordinates with others to feed information to the wolfpack and represents the broader menace looming over New York. His presence underscores the international stakes of the plot.

⚓ Naval 🕵️‍♂️ Dangerous 🧠 Calculated

Sheriff John Dill (Cliff Clark)

A lawman who becomes part of the pursuit to uncover the conspirators. He embodies authority and pragmatic realism, helping to mobilize legal action and support Mike and Jane’s investigation.

🚓 Lawful 🛡️ Proactive 🗺️ Investigative

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:57

Major Themes – Dangerously They Live (1941)

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

🕵️ Espionage

German agents infilitrate New York, orchestrating abductions and covert operations in plain sight. Jane’s amnesia and Mike’s medical vantage point reveal how intelligence work depends on careful observation and deduction. The plot turns on the risk of exposure and the need to outwit a clandestine network.

🎭 Deception

Amnesia and carefully crafted identities serve as strategic masks for a web of spies. The Goodwin mansion acts as a stage where appearances mask dangerous intent. Characters alternate between truth and manipulation as loyalties blur under pressure. Revealing the truth requires courage and careful probing.

💪 Courage

Mike and Jane push beyond professional boundaries and personal danger to uncover the conspiracy. Their resilience drives the action from hospital to mansion to the skies as bombs head toward the U-boats. Even when constrained by authority, they persist to stop the espionage and protect others.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:57

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Dangerously They Live Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dangerously They Live, 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.

Dangerously They Live Summary

Dangerously They Live Timeline

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Dangerously They Live Timeline

More About Dangerously They Live

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