Footsteps in the Dark
Footsteps in the Dark

Footsteps in the Dark

1941Movie96 minEnglish

A high-society gent has a secret life - he writes murder mysteries and hangs out with the police attempting to solve crimes. This causes him no end of problems when his wife wants to know about his little disappearances and exceptionally late nights out.

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Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Director: Irving ReisGenres: Mystery, Comedy, Crime

Plot Summary

A debonair industrialist, Francis "Duke" Sheridan, is drawn into a perplexing mystery when his wife's pearl necklace is stolen. Simultaneously, a series of bizarre events unfolds, including a supposed murder and a string of jewel thefts, all pointing towards a hidden conspiracy. The Duke, with the help of his loyal butler and a sharp reporter, must unravel the complex plot before he becomes the next victim.

Critical Reception

Footsteps in the Dark was met with a mixed reception upon its release. While praised for Errol Flynn's charismatic performance and some of its comedic elements, critics found the plot convoluted and less engaging than expected for a mystery film. Audiences enjoyed the star power but were often left feeling the story was somewhat predictable and lacked genuine suspense.

What Reviewers Say

  • Errol Flynn's charm is a highlight, adding a lighthearted touch to the proceedings.
  • The film attempts a complex mystery but ultimately suffers from a convoluted and often unbelievable plot.
  • While entertaining at times due to its comedic interludes and Flynn's persona, it falls short as a truly gripping thriller.

Google audience: Audience reception is not readily available through common aggregators, but contemporary reviews suggest viewers appreciated the star power of Errol Flynn and the lighter, comedic aspects of the mystery, though some found the plot to be somewhat muddled.

Fun Fact

The film marked the first on-screen pairing of real-life couple Errol Flynn and Brenda Marshall, though they played characters who were not romantically involved within the story.

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