One Thrilling Night

One Thrilling Night

Year: 1942

Runtime: 69 mins

Language: English

Director: William Beaudine

ComedyMystery

A newlywed couple enjoys a night of honeymoon bliss in New York before the groom is set to join the army, but their celebration turns terrifying when they discover a corpse hidden under their bed. The shocking find drags them into a dangerous encounter with gangsters, leaving the bride trembling with fear.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – One Thrilling Night (1942)

Explore the full timeline and setting of One Thrilling Night (1942). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

New York City, Hotel Clarke

The action centers on Hotel Clarke in New York City, a bustling urban hotel where guests mingle with staff, managers, and unexpected visitors. The corridors, lobby, and rooms become the stage for a frantic caper that pulls in every corner of the establishment. The hotel setting amplifies the chaos as a trunk, a body, and a gangland scheme collide with everyday life.

🏨 hotel setting 🗽 New York City 🎭 Comedy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:25

Main Characters – One Thrilling Night (1942)

Meet the key characters of One Thrilling Night (1942), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Horace Jason (John Beal)

A newlywed whose earnestness and naiveté land him in a tangled espionage-like farce. He clumsily negotiates danger and secrecy, trying to protect his wife while the city around him spirals into chaos.

💼 Husband 🕵️‍♂️ Naive protagonist

Millie Jason (Wanda McKay)

Horace's wife, quick-witted and determined. She orchestrates room-to-room maneuvering, keeps her nerves in check, and proves adaptable as the night spirals with gangsters and mistaken identities.

👰 Wife 🧠 Quick thinker

Pete Mooney (Ernie Adams)

A crafty gangster who crashes into the newlyweds' night through a window. He is opportunistic and plays the role of the schemer who tries to stay one step ahead of law and rivals.

🕶️ Gangster 🗝️ Opportunist

Joe Richmond (Lynton Brent)

Partner in crime who helps stash the trunk and evade pursuit. He contributes to the chaos and the rapid shifts that propel the farce.

🕵️‍♂️ Criminal 🧭 Cooperating sidekick

Frankie Saxton (Tom Neal)

Gangster leader who pursues the missing Duke Keesler and the ransom. He embodies the film's mobbed-up energy and becomes a foil for the couple's improvisation.

🧥 Gangster boss 🧭 Pursuer

Duke Keesler (Pierce Lyden)

The man whose supposed murder or involvement kickstarts the events; later found alive and central to the mistaken identity plot.

💼 Victim 🎭 Plot pivot

Pat Callahan (Warren Hymer)

The hotel detective who tries to restore order, investigates with authority, and helps guide the couple through the hotel’s chaos.

🕵️ Hotel detective 🚨 Authority

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:25

Major Themes – One Thrilling Night (1942)

Explore the central themes of One Thrilling Night (1942), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Mistaken Identity

The couple is swept up in a case of mistaken identity when Horace is misread as a gangster Duke Keesler. disguises, misread clues, and rapid reversals drive the comedy as characters chase the wrong person. The farce hinges on look-alikes, disguises, and verbal misdirection that escalate the tension before the truth emerges.

🕵️ Crime and Law Enforcement

Guns, gangsters, and a diligent hotel detective create a cat-and-mouse rhythm throughout the night. Police presence, an arrest, and a rescue attempt punctuate the plot, giving the comedy its structure. The hotel turns into a temporary theater of crime where wit and bravado must outpace danger.

💑 Marriage Under Pressure

A newlywed couple navigates fear, confusion, and chaos while trying to protect their bond. Their cooperation under pressure reveals resilience, humor, and a fragile trust that sustains them through a night of peril. The early-morning wake-up call at the end underscores their commitment amid uproar.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:25

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Unlock the Full Story of One Thrilling Night

Don't stop at just watching — explore One Thrilling Night in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what One Thrilling Night is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

One Thrilling Night Summary

Read a complete plot summary of One Thrilling Night, 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.

One Thrilling Night Summary

One Thrilling Night Timeline

Track the full timeline of One Thrilling Night with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

One Thrilling Night Timeline

More About One Thrilling Night

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More About One Thrilling Night