Decoy

Decoy

Year: 1946

Runtime: 76 mins

Language: English

Director: Jack Bernhard

CrimeThrillerCrime drugs and gangstersGritty crime and ruthless gangstersNoir and dark crime dramas

She Treats Men the Way They’ve Been Treating Women for Years! A fatally shot female gangleader recounts her sordid life of crime to a police officer just before she dies.

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Timeline & Setting – Decoy (1946)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Decoy (1946). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s

The events unfold in the 1930s, a period marked by economic hardship and sensational crime stories. The plot features a murder linked to an armored car robbery and a hydrogen cyanide gas execution, reflecting the era’s attitudes toward crime and punishment. The story’s pace and twists fit the mood of Depression-era detective thrillers.

Location

Rural California, San Francisco, California

The action moves from a quiet rural California gas station to a tense San Francisco apartment. The rural locations provide isolation for the opening confrontation, while the urban setting heightens suspense during investigations and the pursuit of the hidden fortune. The film uses this contrast to drive the thriller forward across different environments.

🏞️ Rural 🌆 Urban settings

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:32

Main Characters – Decoy (1946)

Meet the key characters of Decoy (1946), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Frankie Olins (Robert Armstrong)

A condemned killer whose wealth and the fate of the missing money propel the plot. He embodies a calculating, dangerous presence that others try to exploit or outmaneuver. His apparent death becomes the catalyst for a string of schemes and betrayals that follow.

❌ Criminal 💰 Money 🧠 Cunning

Margot Shelby (Jean Gillie)

A former lover who escalates from romance to ruthless schemer. She engineers the illicit plan to revive Frankie and manipulates allies to locate the fortune, showing cold cunning and willingness to betray anyone. Her power games drive much of the film’s tension until her own downfall.

❌ Criminal 💃 Seduction 🧠 Schemer

Dr. Lloyd Craig (Herbert Rudley)

The prison physician drawn into Margot’s plot after being seduced. He facilitates the controversial revival using methylene blue, becoming a key instrument in the deception. His involvement becomes perilous as the scheme spirals and he becomes a target.

🧪 Science 🏥 Medical 🗡️ Betrayal

Jim Vincent (Edward Norris)

Margot’s new lover who helps pursue the missing money, but his ambitions lead to fatal consequences. He is willing to take part in danger and violence, ultimately meeting a violent end orchestrated by the other players.

⚔️ Rivalry 💰 Money 🗡️ Murder

Detective Joe Portugal (Sheldon Leonard)

The investigator who interrogates Margot and pieces together the case. He embodies patience and methodical inquiry, guiding the audience through conflicting testimonies toward the truth. He ultimately confronts the evidence and confronts the killers.

🕵️ Detective 🧭 Investigation ⚖️ Justice

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:32

Major Themes – Decoy (1946)

Explore the central themes of Decoy (1946), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Deception

The plot hinges on calculated lies, double-crosses, and hidden motives as Margot schemes to recover the fortune. The cast of characters uses misdirection and manipulation to stay ahead of investigators. The detective’s inquiries piece together competing narratives, revealing truth only in fragments.

💰 Greed

The pursuit of Frankie's stolen money drives the action, drawing Margot, Jim, and others into dangerous schemes. Wealth becomes the currency that justifies betrayal and murder, leaving behind a hollow reward. The narrative shows how greed corrodes trust and fuels deadly risk.

🎭 Theatrics

The story unfolds with performative deception, as characters wear masks and stage events to manipulate others. The revival of Frankie after death adds a theatrical twist, blurring lines between life and illusion. The ending exposes the emptiness of the con and the price of living a lie.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:32

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Decoy Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Decoy, 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.

Decoy Summary

Decoy Timeline

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Decoy Timeline

More About Decoy

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Explore More About Movie Decoy

Decoy (1946) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Decoy (1946) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Decoy (1946) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow