Just Before Dawn

Just Before Dawn

Year: 1946

Runtime: 65 mins

Language: English

Director: William Castle

MysteryCrime

In the seventh Crime Doctor film, based on the radio series, Dr. Robert Ordway is called to treat a diabetic. He uses a bottle of insulin from the man's pocket, but the injection proves fatal. Ordway discovers the insulin was swapped for poison. As two more murders follow, he works to identify the culprit and motive behind the deadly switch.

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Timeline & Setting – Just Before Dawn (1946)

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

Time period

Location

Harriet's house, Ganns Mortuary, Claire's apartment, Robert Ordway's house

Harriet's house serves as the initial crime-site and social hub where a party turns into a clue-filled investigation. The Ganns Mortuary provides a clinical backdrop for the criminal underworld and the deception around dead bodies and scams. Claire's apartment is a tense hotspot where a cryptic farewell turns into a kidnapping. Robert Ordway's house becomes the final stage for the confrontation, with the doctor guiding the pursuit of truth while disguises and revelations unfold.

🏠 Domestic setting 🔎 Murder mystery 🧭 Investigation hub 💼 Legal intrigue

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:11

Main Characters – Just Before Dawn (1946)

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

Dr. Robert Ordway (Warner Baxter)

Renowned psychiatrist and criminologist known as the 'Crime Doctor.' He approaches the case with clinical precision, using his expertise to test theories and expose lies. Calm, observant, and resourceful, he employs strategic deception to infiltrate the criminals and guide the investigation toward the truth.

🧠 Scientific mind 🕵️ Investigative instinct 🗝️ Hidden motives

Claire Foster (Adele Roberts)

Walter Foster's sister, entangled in romantic and financial tensions. She seeks aid from Dr. Ordway as suspicions deepen, and her actions become a crucial thread in the mystery. She is quick to react to danger, yet vulnerable to manipulation.

💃 Family ties 🧭 Resourceful 🗝️ Secrets

Walter Foster (George Meeker)

Walter is the deceased whose last words hint at deeper deceit. His financial problems and strained relationships with lovers and family members position him as a linchpin in the motive web. His death triggers the investigation and exposes multiple motives among the suspects.

💵 Financial trouble 🧩 Complicated relationships 🔎 Targeted by others

Jack Swayne (Craig Reynolds)

Owner of a health institute and Walter's rival for Claire's affection. He disputes Walter over marriage and becomes a person of interest as the investigation uncovers his ties to Walter's finances and social circle.

💼 Rival 🗣️ Interpersonal tension 🧭 Ambition

Allen S. Tobin (Charles Arnt)

Attorney handling Walter's affairs, privy to the financial entanglements and potential misdeeds surrounding Walter's estate. His role ties legal interests to the unfolding mystery and the protection or exposure of secrets.

⚖️ Legal angle 🧠 Strategist 🗝️ Secrets

Alec Girard (Wilton Graff)

Harboring a past as a plastic surgeon, Girard is revealed to be a central figure in the criminal operation. His past and present actions connect personal ambition with violent outcomes, driving the motive for murder.

🧬 Past identities 🧠 Calculating 🧪 Manipulation

Connie Day (Peggy Converse)

Works at a mortuary and becomes entangled in the plot of blackmail and scams. She emerges as a victim in the larger scheme, caught between criminals and those trying to uncover the truth.

🏛️ Mortuary ties 💼 Crime scheme 😨 Vulnerability

Karl Ganss (Martin Kosleck)

Mortuary owner involved in the criminal network. His establishment is a hub for illicit activity, and he faces confrontation as the investigation closes in on the operation.

🏬 Business front 🗝️ Hidden crimes 🕵️ Involvement

Casper (Marvin Miller)

A figure posing as a concerned ally while orchestrating manipulation and posing as a friend to gain access to victims. His presence accelerates danger and complicates the case.

🎭 Deceptive ally 🗝️ Double identity 📝 Conspiracy

Harriet Travers (Mona Barrie)

Robert's neighbor and a key witness whose personal life intersects with Walter's circle. Her actions reflect the domestic veneer that hides the crime's reach and consequences.

🏠 Neighbor 🧭 Social ties 💔 Complications

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:11

Major Themes – Just Before Dawn (1946)

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

🎭 Deception

Deception threads through the plot as characters wear masks, fake identities, and altered appearances to hide true motives. The notion of 'one face' from Walter's last words underscores how appearances conceal danger. Casper's impersonation and Gypsy Corsello's manipulated persona drive the crimes, while Robert's feigned blindness allows him to maneuver within the criminal circle.

🕵️ Investigation

Dr. Ordway applies analytical and medical insight to piece together the sequence of events. He interrogates guests, tracks financial and personal connections, and uncovers clues behind poisoning and kidnapping. The investigation relies on signatures, motives, and the gradual unmasking of suspects, culminating in a strategic infiltration of the criminals' operations.

💰 Motive

Greed, money pressures, and past crimes fuel the tension. Walter's financial troubles and Girard's past as a surgeon create a web of blackmail and leverage. The pursuit of money and the fear of exposure push characters toward drastic actions, driving the plot toward a fatal confrontation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:11

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Just Before Dawn Summary

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