Year: 1945
Runtime: 78 min
Language: English
Director: Raoul Walsh
A whimsical comedy follows Athanael, an angelic trumpeter, who must blow the Last Trumpet at precisely midnight. Two fallen angels and a jewel thief plot to steal the trumpet, throwing Athanael into a series of comical misadventures. He must navigate the challenges of the mortal realm while striving to fulfill his divine task and protect the sacred instrument from falling into the wrong hands.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen The Horn Blows at Midnight yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of The Horn Blows at Midnight (1945), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
As the delightful tunes from Paradise Coffee’s sponsored radio show filled the atmosphere, Athanael (Jack Benny), the orchestra’s third trumpet player, found himself enchanted by the melodies and gradually slipped into a dreamy state. In this ethereal space, he imagined himself as an angelic trumpeter, joyfully playing in the heavenly orchestra, filling the celestial realm with his harmonious serenades. His visions were graced by the affectionate praise of his beautiful girlfriend, Elizabeth (Alexis Smith), who was employed at the department of small planet management. It was she who entrusted him with a divine mission: to obliterate planet 339001 (Earth) along with its troublesome residents. Athanael’s trumpet playing began to carry an ominous weight as he prepared to sound the “Last Trumpet” at the stroke of midnight, heralding the world’s ending.
However, destiny had a different script in mind. Upon his arrival in the mortal realm through the elevator of the Hotel Universe, Athanael unintentionally thwarted a bold heist led by the charming guest Archie Dexter (Reginald Gardiner) and his alluring partner Fran Blackstone (Dolores Moran). Following the chaotic event, Dexter ended their partnership, placing the blame on Fran for their failed escapade. At the same time, Elizabeth sought to convince her superior to reassign Athanael to his sacred duty, which ultimately yielded results.
As the plot thickened, two fallen angels—Osidro (Allyn Joslyn) and Doremus (John Alexander)—recognized Athanael and aimed to obstruct his mission. The angel began to find it increasingly challenging to manage his trumpet amidst the tumultuous happenings of this unfamiliar world. These mischievous entities teamed up with Dexter to pilfer the instrument, capitalizing on Fran’s gratitude for her prior rescue by Athanael to further their devious agenda.
With tensions escalating, Elizabeth and her manager sprang into action, collaborating to pursue the thieves on an exhilarating chase through the Hotel Universe. In the midst of the frantic pursuit, Athanael unexpectedly fell from the rooftop, only to awaken from his surreal dream to the sweet resonance of reality softly echoing in his consciousness.
Last Updated: November 17, 2024 at 21:40
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Horn Blows at Midnight 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 The Horn Blows at Midnight is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Horn Blows at Midnight with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like The Horn Blows at Midnight that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
The Horn Blows at Midnight (1945) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
The Horn Blows at Midnight (1945) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like The Horn Blows at Midnight – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Young Man with a Horn (1950) Full Movie Breakdown
Bedazzled (2000) Film Overview & Timeline
Midnight at the Magnolia (2020) Story Summary & Characters
Strike Up the Band (1940) Complete Plot Breakdown
At Midnight (2023) Full Summary & Key Details
A Mighty Wind (2003) Detailed Story Recap
Oh, God! You Devil (1984) Complete Plot Breakdown
Airheads (1994) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The Brass Teapot (2013) Film Overview & Timeline
The Night Before (2015) Movie Recap & Themes
All Nighter (2017) Full Movie Breakdown
The Good Night (2007) Full Movie Breakdown
Sound of Noise (2012) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Nothing But Trouble (1991) Full Summary & Key Details
Silent Night (2021) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap