City in Darkness
City in Darkness

Movie spotlight

City in Darkness

1939
Movie
75 min
English

Chan, in Paris for a reunion with friends from World War I, becomes involved in investigating the murder of a munitions manufacturer who was supplying arms to the enemy, even as the rising clouds of World War II force the city into nightly blackout status..

Insights

IMDb6.0/10
Director: Herbert BrenonGenres: Mystery, Crime, Film-Noir

Plot Summary

A young American architect, vacationing in Paris, becomes entangled in a murder investigation. He finds himself drawn to a beautiful woman who may be connected to the crime. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a complex web of deceit and danger that puts his own life at risk. The investigation leads him through the shadowy underworld of the city, where loyalty and betrayal are a matter of life and death.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'City in Darkness' received mixed to positive reviews, praised for its atmospheric portrayal of Paris and its suspenseful plot. While some critics found the pacing uneven, others lauded the performances and the film's noir sensibilities. It is considered a solid, if not groundbreaking, entry in the mystery genre of its time.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its dark, atmospheric depiction of Paris.

  • The suspenseful plot and engaging mystery elements were generally well-received.

  • Some critics noted occasional issues with pacing but found the performances compelling.

Google audience: Audience reviews for 'City in Darkness' are scarce due to its age, but contemporary reception indicated appreciation for its thriller aspects and Parisian setting, with some finding it a bit dated.

Fun Fact

Although set in Paris, the film was primarily shot on studio sets in Hollywood, with only a few establishing shots filmed on location.

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TMDB Reviews

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CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

With war in Europe looming large, "Charlie" (Sidney Toler) is in Paris to celebrate with some of his colleagues from the previous conflagration when he finds himself embroiled in the mysterious killing of "Petroff" (Douglass Dumbrille). The...