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.
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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
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A celestial being navigates the chaos of the mortal world with comical results.If you enjoyed the angelic antics of 'The Horn Blows at Midnight,' discover more movies where heavenly beings struggle with earthly chaos. These comedies feature divine intervention gone awry, celestial mix-ups, and light-hearted adventures that treat the cosmos with a playful wink.
Stories typically involve a celestial agent—an angel, a god, or a supernatural entity—given a solemn task on Earth. The narrative humor derives from the character's naivete and the chaotic, unpredictable nature of the human realm, leading to a series of escalating, comical mishaps that challenge the mission's success.
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