Somewhere in the Night

Somewhere in the Night

Year: 1946

Runtime: 110 mins

Language: English

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

ThrillerMysteryCrime

Haunted by amnesia after returning from WWII, George Taylor arrives in Los Angeles determined to piece together his forgotten past. As he probes his former life, he becomes entangled in a three‑year‑old murder case and a hunt for a missing two‑million‑dollar fortune, forcing him to confront dangerous secrets in the city’s shadows.

Somewhere in the Night (1946) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Somewhere in the Night (1946) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the smoky, rain‑slick streets of post‑war Los Angeles, a city still humming with both optimism and hidden tension, a lone Marine steps off a train with nothing but a name and a lingering sense of loss. George Taylor has survived the front lines, only to awaken with a blank slate, his memories erased by the trauma of battle. The capital of dreams becomes a labyrinth of clues, each corner of the metropolis whispering fragments of a life he cannot remember.

Determined to rebuild his identity, Taylor begins tracing the faintest breadcrumbs left in a weathered briefcase and a cryptic note tucked inside. His search leads him to The Cellar, a dimly lit nightclub where music and danger coexist, and to Christy Smith, a striking and resourceful woman whose own connections to the city’s undercurrents prove invaluable. Together they navigate a world where every conversation could hold a key, and where the line between ally and intrigue blurs in the neon‑lit night.

Beneath the glamour of nightclubs and the polite veneer of police stations, a three‑year‑old homicide case and the rumor of a missing two‑million‑dollar fortune linger like unresolved chords in a jazz solo. The city’s shadows conceal secrets that tug at Taylor’s fragmented past, suggesting that his lost memories may be tangled with events far more complex than a simple amnesia. The tone is a mix of hard‑boiled noir and lingering wartime melancholy, inviting viewers to feel the weight of unanswered questions as the protagonist steps deeper into the maze.

As Taylor and Christy press forward, their partnership becomes a fragile thread of trust amid the city’s murky depths. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation, each clue a faint light in an otherwise dark corridor, promising that the truth about who he really is—and what he once left behind—lies just out of reach, waiting to be uncovered.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:53

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Amnesiac thrillers like Somewhere in the Night

Protagonists with lost memories must piece together a perilous identity.If you enjoyed the amnesia-driven mystery of Somewhere in the Night, you'll like these movies where protagonists with lost memories uncover dangerous pasts. These films feature similar tense investigations, hidden identities, and high-stakes plots that keep you guessing.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist who awakens or begins with a complete or partial memory loss. Their primary goal becomes uncovering the truth about their identity, which inevitably drags them into a pre-existing criminal plot. The story is a race against time and unseen enemies, where every recovered clue heightens the stakes.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared narrative engine of amnesia, which creates a unique blend of mystery and personal stakes. The viewer experiences the investigation alongside the protagonist, sharing their confusion and anxiety, leading to a suspenseful and often fast-paced journey of discovery.

Post-war noir dramas like Somewhere in the Night

War veterans confront the lingering darkness in the city's underbelly.Fans of Somewhere in the Night will appreciate these similar post-war noir films. Discover movies about war veterans navigating a world of crime and moral ambiguity, capturing the tense, shadowy vibe of classic film noir with a focus on post-war trauma.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a veteran, often disillusioned or psychologically scarred, who becomes entangled in a criminal plot upon returning to civilian life. The city itself is a character—dark, corrupt, and unwelcoming. The veteran's journey is one of navigating this new battlefield, using skills from the war to survive, while seeking some form of redemption or a new beginning.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific historical and moral context, combining the visual style of film noir with the thematic depth of post-war disillusionment. They offer a consistent vibe of a world out of joint, where heroes are flawed and the line between good and evil is blurred, set against a backdrop of urban decay.

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Somewhere in the Night Summary

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Somewhere in the Night Summary

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Somewhere in the Night Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Somewhere in the Night

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Somewhere in the Night

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