Nocturne (1946 film)
| Nocturne | |
|---|---|
| File:Nocturnefilm.jpg Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Edwin L. Marin |
| Screenplay by | Jonathan Latimer |
| Story by |
|
| Produced by | Joan Harrison |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Harry J. Wild |
| Edited by | Elmo Williams |
| Music by | Leigh Harline |
| Distributed by | RKO Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Nocturne is a 1946 black-and-white film noir starring George Raft and Lynn Bari. The film was produced by longtime Alfred Hitchcock associate Joan Harrison, scripted by Jonathan Latimer, and directed by Edwin L. Marin.[2]
Plot
A Hollywood film composer is found dead. The police think it is suicide but a cop, Joe Warne (Raft), suspects murder. Warne begins looking for "Dolores," a name in a song by the dead man. While investigating, Warne finds out the dead man has had a list of models as girlfriends and that ten of them have a motive for the suspected murder.
His ruthless questioning tactics lead to several suspects reporting him for abuse. Pursuing the case with dogged determination, the obsessed Warne is eventually suspended from the police force while on the case. As he digs deeper into the case, the clues draw him closer to Frances Ransom (Bari), who may be involved in the killing.
Cast
- George Raft as Joe Warne
- Lynn Bari as Frances Ransom
- Virginia Huston as Carol Page
- Joseph Pevney as Ned "Fingers" Ford
- Myrna Dell as Susan Flanders
- Edward Ashley as Keith Vincent
- Walter Sande as Police Lt. Halberson
- Mabel Paige as Mrs. Warne
- Bern Hoffman as Erik Torp
- Queenie Smith as Queenie, Nora's Roommate
- Virginia Keiley as Lotus Evans, Model
- Mack Gray as Gratz
- Lilian Bond (1946) as Mrs. Billings
- Uncredited actors include Filipino Hollywood actor Rudy Robles as Eujemio.
Production
George Raft and Edward Marin had just made Johnny Angel together from RKO which proved popular. Raft's and Marin's involvement in Nocturne was announced in September 1945.[3] (In between Johnny Angel and Nocturne, Raft and Martin made Mr. Ace for Benedict Bogeaus.)
Joan Harrison was signed by RKO to produce the film in October.[4]
Joseph Pevney was brought out from Broadway to play a supporting role. Jane Greer was up for the female lead but George Raft went for the better known Lynn Bari.[5] Bari was borrowed from 20th Century Fox. Filming started in May 1946.[6]
Raft reportedly did some rewriting of the script to make his character more sympathetic.[7]
Reception
Box office
The film was popular on release and recorded a profit of $568,000.[8]
Critical reception
When the film was released, the staff at Variety magazine wrote, "Nocturne is a detective thriller with action and suspense plentiful and hard-bitten mood of story sustained by Edwin L. Marin's direction."[9] "Moments of suspense and excitement... are rare," wrote the New York Times.[10] The Los Angeles Times called it "a skillfully worked out murder melodrama."[11]
References
- ^ "Nocturne: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
- ^ Nocturne at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films.
- ^ FOX TO BASE FILM ON OSS ACTIVITIES: 'Diplomatic Courier' Will Deal With Its Counter-Espionage-- 'Mildred Pierce' at Strand Of LocaL Origin Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 28 Sep 1945: 16.
- ^ NEWS OF THE SCREEN: Joan Harrison Signed by RKO to Produce 'Nocturne, Starring George Raft--U.S. to See 'Marie-Louise' Of Local Origin Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 16 Oct 1945: 31.
- ^ Everett Aaker, The Films of George Raft, McFarland & Company, 2013 p 124.
- ^ LYNN BARI NAMED FOR RKO FILM LEAD: Will Star Opposite George Raft in 'Nocturne,' Mystery Story --'Open City' Held Over Of Local Origin Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 30 Apr 1946: 17.
- ^ Miller, Frank. "Nocturne". Turner Classic Movies.
- ^ Richard Jewell & Vernon Harbin, The RKO Story. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House, 1982. p216.
- ^ Variety. Sattf film review, 1946. Accessed: August 6, 2013.
- ^ THE SCREEN. (1946, Nov 11). New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/107594735?accountid=13902
- ^ Scott, J. L. (1946, Dec 19). Murder tale clever fare. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/165733588?accountid=13902
External links
- Nocturne at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Nocturne at IMDb
- Nocturne at AllMovie
- Nocturne at the TCM Movie Database
- Nocturne film scene on YouTube