Dick Tracy’s Dilemma

Dick Tracy’s Dilemma

Year: 1947

Runtime: 60 mins

Language: English

Director: John Rawlins

CrimeDrama

Detective Dick Tracy is drawn into a tangled case involving the theft of a massive consignment of fur coats, a suspected insurance fraud, and a series of murders. All clues point to a formidable criminal known as the Hook of Doom, a massive thug who replaces his right hand with a metal hook.

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Timeline & Setting – Dick Tracy’s Dilemma (1947)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dick Tracy’s Dilemma (1947). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Flawless Furs warehouse, junkyard, bar, Sightless' apartment, Tracy's police office

The story unfolds across a gritty urban landscape centered on a fur warehouse where the theft occurs, a nearby junkyard serving as a hideout, and a smoky bar where criminals coordinate. Scenes also take place in a morgue, an insurance office, and Tracy's detective headquarters, highlighting the procedural side of catching the killer. The varied locations create a fast-paced noir atmosphere that drives the chase from clue to clue.

🔎 Crime 🏙️ City 🧭 Investigation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:19

Main Characters – Dick Tracy’s Dilemma (1947)

Meet the key characters of Dick Tracy’s Dilemma (1947), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dick Tracy (Ralph Byrd)

A sharp, methodical detective who pieces together a complex noose of clues after finding a note at the morgue. He relentlessly pursues the Claw, connects suspects through the 24-hour insurance deadline, and uses deductive instincts to identify the mastermind behind the crime.

🕵️ Detective 🧠 Analytical 🎯 Tenacious

Steve 'The Claw' Michel (Jack Lambert)

A ruthless killer with a prosthetic hook, orchestrating the theft and eliminating witnesses to cover his tracks. He remains dangerous and elusive, finally felled by an electric trap during the chase.

🗡️ Ruthless 🧠 Cunning ⚔️ Violent

Vitamin Flintheart (Ian Keith)

Tracy's flamboyant ally who initially doubts the blind informant Sightless but ultimately relays the message to Tracy. He takes a risky undercover path to the bar, aiding in the pursuit while grappling with his own pride.

🎭 Eccentric 🧠 Shrewd 🛡️ Loyal

Longshot Lillie (Bernadene Hayes)

A crafty fence who provides essential information about the robbers. She is questioned as a potential link in the chain, though she cannot identify the trio directly.

🏷️ Fence 🧩 Connector 🕶️ Streetwise

Sightless (Jimmy Conlin)

A blind beggar who overhears the criminals and delivers crucial intel to Tracy, only to be killed by the Claw when his information threatens the mastermind's plan.

👁️ Blind 🗣️ Informant 🕊️ Tragic

Tess Trueheart (Kay Christopher)

Tracy's determined partner and love interest, who supports the investigation and helps anchor the human stakes in Tracy's pursuit of justice.

💖 Love Interest 🕊️ Supportive 🛡️ Brave

Peter Premium (William B. Davidson)

A representative for the insurance company, involved in the high-stakes plot to recover the stolen furs within the policy's deadline and the ensuing confrontation with the criminals.

💼 Insurance 💰 Finance 🕵️‍♂️ Bureaucracy

Mr. Humphries (Charles Marsh)

Store owner revealed as part of the conspiracy, orchestrating the ruse to reclaim the furs after the deadline and coordinate the payout with the Claw.

🏬 Store Owner 🧩 Schemer 🕵️‍♂️ Manipulator

Mr. Cudd (Al Bridge)

A supporting insurance investigator, assisting the detectives as they connect the bar-based phone call to the store owner and unveil the fraud.

🕴️ Investigator 🗂️ Bureaucrat 🧭 Strategist

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:19

Major Themes – Dick Tracy’s Dilemma (1947)

Explore the central themes of Dick Tracy’s Dilemma (1947), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Justice

A relentless pursuit of truth pits Dick Tracy against a clever killer and a scheming mastermind. The plot hinges on timely evidence and the 24-hour deadline to recover the stolen furs, emphasizing accountability. The film frames justice as a dynamic contest of wits, where each clue narrows the path to the culprit. The resolution reinforces the idea that law and persistence prevail over crime.

🎭 Disguise

Disguise and misdirection drive much of the suspense, from the Claw's concealed identity to the blind beggar ruse that misleads Tracy and his allies. The criminals manipulate information and locations to stay one step ahead, forcing Tracy to read between the lines. The bar phone call and the bar rendezvous serve as theatrical backdrops for treachery and reveal. The theme showcases how appearances can mask deadly intentions.

⚖️ Duty & Courage

Characters face moral tests as loyalties shift and personal risk escalates. Vitamin Flintheart wrestles with his hesitation to help Sightless before ultimately aiding Tracy, showing bravery can come from unexpected places. Tracy's relentless pursuit, even when betrayed or misled, demonstrates steadfast duty to protect the innocent. The climactic confrontation at the generator underscores the value of courage in the face of danger.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:19

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Dick Tracy’s Dilemma Summary

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Dick Tracy’s Dilemma Summary

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Dick Tracy’s Dilemma Timeline

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