Deadline at Dawn (1946) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

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1. 1

   Sleepy Parsons arrives at Edna's apartment

   Sleepy Parsons, a blind piano player and ex-husband, arrives at Edna Bartelli's apartment to collect the money she owes him. Edna checks her purse and finds it missing, instantly blaming a U.S. Navy sailor for the theft. The tense confrontation sets the noir mood and foreshadows the tangled motives at play.

   When

   Morning

   Where

   Edna Bartelli's apartment, New York City

2. 2

   Alex Winkley wakes with a hazy memory and cash in his pocket

   Nearby a New York City newsstand, Alex Winkley awakens with a hazy memory of the previous night and discovers cash in his pocket. He learns he has seven hours left before he must depart for duty, dragging him into a murky situation he barely understands. The money and his uncertain past push him toward Edna's circle and the murder that follows.

   When

   Morning

   Where

   Near a newsstand, New York City

3. 3

   Alex meets June Goffe at the nightclub and goes to her apartment

   Alex approaches June Goffe at a nightclub and they share a dance, forging a tense but intimate connection. She takes him to her apartment, where the money's origin comes to light as Alex reveals he stole the funds after fixing Edna's radio. June's suspicion grows, and the pair realizes they are entangled in something much larger than a simple theft.

   When

   Evening

   Where

   Nightclub and June's apartment, New York City

4. 4

   The murder of Edna Bartelli is discovered

   June urges Alex to return the money, but their plans are derailed when they arrive at Edna's apartment to find her murdered. The shock shifts the focus from financial malice to a full-blown investigation for a killer. June quickly suspects Alex, though he pleads his innocence as the hunt begins.

   When

   Night

   Where

   Edna Bartelli's apartment, New York City

5. 5

   June and Alex decide to retrace the killer's steps

   With a murder case now in full swing, June and Alex decide to retrace Edna's killer's steps to identify a probable route and motive. They catalog potential leads and question those connected to Edna's life, hoping to catch a break before the trail grows cold. The city becomes a labyrinth as they chase down rumors and alibis.

   When

   Night

   Where

   New York City

6. 6

   A blonde, limp woman and a cab ride hint at a key witness

   The investigators learn that hours earlier a blonde woman with a limp rushed into a cab and disappeared into the city. This fleeting sighting hints at a crucial witness who could tie Edna's death to someone in her social circle. The fragmentary clue directs their attention to specific suspects and locations.

   When

   Night

   Where

   City streets, New York

7. 7

   Cab driver recalls driving the blonde downtown

   A cab driver recalls picking up the blonde and driving her downtown, providing a possible route for the killer's movements. The detail narrows the investigative scope to particular neighborhoods and times. Alex and June weigh this lead as they map Edna's final hours.

   When

   Night

   Where

   Taxi cab, downtown New York

8. 8

   Alex chases a distraught man and a choking cat

   Alex pursues a distraught man whose rush to depart is linked to a choking cat, a curious clue that interrupts the pursuit. He orders a taxi back toward Edna's building to regroup and reassess. The bizarre lead complicates the case while keeping the momentum alive.

   When

   Night

   Where

   City streets, en route to Edna's apartment

9. 9

   June interrogates Helen Robinson while the mystery deepens

   June travels to Helen Robinson's apartment and questions Helen about her whereabouts the night before. An argument between Helen and her husband Jerry adds new tensions and possible alibis to the case. The conversation widens the field of suspects and deepens the mystery.

   When

   Night

   Where

   Helen Robinson's apartment, New York City

10. 10

    Gus Hoffman joins the investigation at Edna's apartment

    Back at Edna's place, Gus Hoffman, a taxi driver, joins the investigation and they discover Edna's letters and a bad check signed by Lester Brady. The letters reveal Edna's blackmail scheme against past lovers, adding motive and a tangle of relationships. The findings broaden the scope of who might have wanted Edna silenced.

    When

    Night

    Where

    Edna's apartment, New York City

11. 11

    Mrs. Raymond arrives and causes a stir

    Mrs. Raymond walks into Edna's apartment and is stunned to learn that Edna is dead. She bolts in alarm, and her arrival introduces another volatile thread to the unfolding case. The scene heightens the tension and suggests that more secrets are waiting to be uncovered.

    When

    Night

    Where

    Edna's apartment, New York City

12. 12

    Lester Brady's circle and Val confront the investigation

    Alex arrives at Lester Brady's apartment and is confronted by Edna's brother Val, who believes Alex is responsible. The three men travel to Edna's apartment together, where Val assaults Alex until Lester intervenes. The confrontation tightens the web of relationships surrounding Edna's murder.

    When

    Night

    Where

    Lester Brady's apartment; later Edna's apartment, New York City

13. 13

    The carnation clue leads to Sleepy Parsons

    June and Gus return to Sleepy Parsons's nightclub and use a white carnation as a clue to locate Sleepy. June informs Sleepy of the murder, and Val questions Sleepy who dies of a heart attack shortly after. The development intensifies the investigation and pushes the plot toward the police.

    When

    Night

    Where

    Sleepy Parsons's nightclub, New York City

14. 14

    The killer is finally revealed

    Police involvement escalates as confessions surface. Jerry Robinson's claim is disproven, and Gus unexpectedly confesses to killing Edna to protect his daughter's marriage. He explains the motive and pleads for Alex's release, sealing the guilt on him and bringing the case toward closure.

    When

    Night

    Where

    Edna's apartment and Lester Brady's apartment, New York City

15. 15

    Alex departs for naval duty after a kiss with June

    Before heading out for naval duty, Alex shares a final kiss with June, signaling a fragile romance amidst the noir turmoil. The case resolves with the killer identified and justice moving forward, even as both man and city return to their separate paths. The film closes on a note of quiet hope between two survivors.

    When

    Just before departure

    Where

    June's apartment and surrounding New York City