Short Night of Glass Dolls

Short Night of Glass Dolls

Year: 1971

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Aldo Lado

ThrillerHorrorMysteryThrillers and murder mysteriesHorror the undead and monster classics

When things are not what they seem… An American journalist in Prague searches for his girlfriend who has suddenly disappeared.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Short Night of Glass Dolls (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Short Night of Glass Dolls (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Cold War era

Set during the Cold War, Prague is a city under political tension between East and West. Journalists, officials, and powerful elites mingle in a climate of censorship and secrecy. Authorities are evasive, and secret societies wield influence behind the scenes. The timeline tightens as events spiral toward a deadly occult confrontation.

Location

Prague

Prague provides a Gothic backdrop for a web of political intrigue and personal obsession. A park marks the opening discovery of Gregory's supposed death, and the city streets lead into a labyrinth of elite parties, libraries, and a mysterious club. The Cold War climate brings surveillance, evasive authorities, and hidden agendas to the forefront. The city's architecture and nightlife become clues in Gregory's search for Mira.

🎭 City 🕰️ Cold War Prague 🗝️ Secrets

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:05

Main Characters – Short Night of Glass Dolls (1971)

Meet the key characters of Short Night of Glass Dolls (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Gregory Moore

An American journalist in Prague who becomes obsessed with finding Mira. He navigates evasive authorities, elite circles, and a shadowy cult, driven by love and suspicion. His memories frame the narrative, pulling him deeper into a conspiracy that blurs the line between reality and illusion.

🕵️‍♂️ Investigation 🧩 Mystery

Mira Svoboda

Gregory's girlfriend who escaped from the Soviet Union and vanishes after a party. Her disappearance triggers the journalist's search and draws in officials and elites. She remains a figure of beauty and ambiguity, with hints of connection to a larger, shadowy network.

🕵️‍♀️ Disappearance 🧩 Mystery

Jessica

A journalist and Gregory's former lover who partners with him to locate Mira. She is skeptical of authorities and unafraid to press for answers, even as she becomes entangled in the dangerous web surrounding Klub 99. Her pragmatism contrasts with Gregory's obsession.

🕵️‍♀️ Investigation 🧭 Adventure

Jacques Versain

A journalist who initially assists in the search but reveals a lethal agenda. He admits killing Mira and exposes the existence of Klub 99, a group that uses occult power. His charisma masks a dangerous ruthlessness that drives the plot toward a violent confrontation.

⚔️ Danger 🗝️ Secrets

Professor Karting

A physician who is revealed to be a high priest in Klub 99. He presides over occult rituals and ultimately conducts the autopsy that seals Gregory's fate. His intellectual veneer masks a ruthless commitment to the cult's dark rites.

🧪 Science 🕯️ Ritual

Valinski

Minister of the Interior and leader of Klub 99. He uses his power to manipulate and persecute those who threaten the group's secret, including Gregory's search for Mira. His apartment reveals the dead body's chilling presence and his ability to orchestrate harm.

🏛️ Politics 🗡️ Power

Pravski (The Blind Man)

An enigmatic elder who hints at Klub 99's reach and is killed by a mysterious figure. His role hints at the hidden network controlling events behind the scenes. He embodies the pervasive sense that knowledge and safety come at a price.

🕯️ Mystery 👁️ Enigma

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:05

Major Themes – Short Night of Glass Dolls (1971)

Explore the central themes of Short Night of Glass Dolls (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔮 Occult Power

Klub 99 wields real influence through occult rituals; the practice of black magic shapes characters' actions. Rituals, enchanted objects, and occult influence drive key scenes. The cult's occult power blurs the line between superstition and control, threatening Gregory's life. The pursuit of truth collides with ritualistic force, creating a sense of helplessness.

🕵️ Conspiracy & Deceit

Authorities manipulate information, and a web of lies surrounds the disappearance of Mira. Gregory and Jessica discover complicity among elites as they chase rumors that lead nowhere. The investigation is hampered by indifference, red herrings, and threats from those in power. Trust erodes as secrets come to light and danger closes in.

🌀 Unreliable Narration

The story unfolds largely through Gregory's memory while he lies in the morgue, merging past and present. The audience is kept guessing what is real as memories blur with new danger. The narrative device makes the truth elusive and heightens suspense. As the autopsy and ritual converge, reality and illusion become indistinguishable.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:05

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Short Night of Glass Dolls Summary

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Short Night of Glass Dolls Summary

Short Night of Glass Dolls Timeline

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Short Night of Glass Dolls Timeline

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