Dark City

Danny Haley operates a closed gambling venue that he keeps running by paying off the police. Despite the protection money, a raid still undermines his operation. He also loves singer Fran Garlan but makes clear he cannot start a relationship.

Danny notices a $5,000 check in Arthur Winant's wallet and invites him to a private poker game with Soldier, Barney, and Augie at his closed establishment. Winant is in town to buy equipment for a sports club. The invitation begins a dangerous chain of events.

Barney and Augie let Arthur Winant win $325 during the game, giving him a small victory. The crew's control over the table foreshadows heavier manipulation to come. The mood grows tense as money and loyalties become precarious.

On the following night, Barney and Augie cheat Arthur out of all his money, including the $5,000 he carried. The betrayal confirms that Winant’s fortune is at the mercy of the crew and sets the plot on a darker path.

The next day, Danny learns that Winant has committed suicide, shocking him with the turn of events. Fearing police attention, he tells his friends to wait a few days before cashing Winant’s check.

Barney, the most nervous of the crew, believes someone is following him, creating paranoia. The next morning, Barney is found dead, escalating the tension and hinting at Sidney's possible involvement.

Police captain Garvey interviews Danny and Augie and links Winant's death to the poker game. He warns that Sidney, Winant’s dangerous brother, may seek vengeance and that Barney was probably killed by Sidney. Danny and Augie deny any connection.

In Los Angeles, Danny poses as an insurance agent and visits Victoria, Winant's widow, to learn the identity of Sidney, the policy beneficiary. Victoria cannot provide a photo of Sidney because she has destroyed them, and Danny spends a romantic evening with her before revealing his true identity; she chases him away. He tries to hand over Winant’s check, but she refuses to accept it.

Returning to his motel room, Danny finds Augie’s body hanging in the shower and is arrested by the police after the hotel manager reports their arguments. Garvey arrives in Los Angeles and, believing Danny to be innocent, persuades the local police to release him.

Danny travels to Las Vegas where Soldier works at a casino and arranges a job for him as a blackjack dealer. Fran arrives and Soldier also helps her get a job as a lounge singer, allowing them to reconnect professionally.

Danny visits another casino to play craps and builds a stake into more than $10,000. Victoria phones to warn Fran that Sidney knows Danny is in Las Vegas. Danny asks Fran to send the money that he won to Victoria the next morning if anything should happen to him.

Believing that Danny is in love with Victoria, Fran decides to leave for Chicago. The decision heightens the emotional stakes between them and foreshadows the coming rupture.

Sidney emerges from the bathroom and lunges at Danny in a tense confrontation. Garvey and his men burst in and shoot Sidney, ending the immediate threat and turning the tide of the pursuit.

The next morning at the airport, Danny stops Fran from boarding to tell her he loves her. They share a kiss and walk back into the terminal together, choosing to face the future as a pair.