Deadline at Dawn (1946)

56% of users liked it
(114 ratings)

Deadline at Dawn represented not only the sole film directorial effort of Broadway's Harold Clurman, but also the only cinematic collaboration between Clurman and his former Group Theatre associate, screenwriter Clifford Odets. While on shore leave in New York, sailor Alex (Bill Williams) is slipped… More Deadline at Dawn represented not only the sole film directorial effort of Broadway's Harold Clurman, but also the only cinematic collaboration between Clurman and his former Group Theatre associate, screenwriter Clifford Odets. While on shore leave in New York, sailor Alex (Bill Williams) is slipped a doped-up drink by B-girl Edna (Lola Lane). When he awakens, Alex discovers that she has been murdered. Though he believes that he's the killer, our hero is talked into locating the actual miscreant by philosophical cab driver gus (Paul Lukas) and nightclub dancer June (Susan Hayward). Adapted from a novel by Cornell Woolrich, Deadline at Dawn leans towards pretentiousness at times, but is redeemed by the no-nonsense performance by Susan Hayward. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 22 min.
Directed By: Harold Clurman
Written By: Clifford Odets, Cornell Woolrich
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Apr 3, 1946 Wide

Critic Reviews

Sean Axmaker, Parallax View
... a film of shadows and secrets and moments of street poetry.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Though enjoyable by virtue of its distorted mise-en-scene, affection for NYC characters and its misplaced dialogue, this is not art but run-of-the-mill film noir.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

This film I found as part of the Film Noir Collection Volume 5 which can be found on Amazon. I was blown away by not only the storyline but also the acting. Paul Lukas stole the stage when he appeared in this movie. Bill Williams plays the I'm from the country and don't know… More
This film I found as part of the Film Noir Collection Volume 5 which can be found on Amazon. I was blown away by not only the storyline but also the acting. Paul Lukas stole the stage when he appeared in this movie. Bill Williams plays the I'm from the country and don't know squat about life Sailor, who wakes up in a newsstand after a all night drunk with 1400 dollars in his pocket, he goes to return to the girl he took it from to find her dead. He meets a B Girl (Susan Hayward)m who gets tangled up in his story, they try to find the killer, as they do more and more people are weaved into this story. The ending will blow you away, as it did me. I will not give it away here. This is the most enjoyable film, worth every minute of your time, It comes as a Double with Backfire another go film. Can believe I'm giving a old B&W Film 5 Stars.
jay n

Terrifically gritty noir. Susan, still a B actress at the time took a big step forward with this little gem, one of the great overlooked noirs. She's tough and no nonsense but caring. She also looks phenomenal considering she had given birth to twin boys just before making this.… More
Terrifically gritty noir. Susan, still a B actress at the time took a big step forward with this little gem, one of the great overlooked noirs. She's tough and no nonsense but caring. She also looks phenomenal considering she had given birth to twin boys just before making this. Bill Williams is just right as the naive gob and Paul Lukas adds great support as a cabbie who lends a helping hand. The film is also full of wonderful touches, Susan's snappy no-nonsense talk, the incidental characters the leads come across and the sets and set-ups of the shots with intriguing little details just randomly placed in the background. Well worth seeking out.

Cast

            Susan Hayward as June Goth

            Paul Lukas as Gus

            Bill Williams as Alex Winkley

            Joseph Calleia as Bartelli

            Osa Massen as Helen Robinson

            Lola Lane as Edna Bartelli

            Jerome Cowan as Lester Brady

            Marvin Miller as Sleepy Parsons

            Roman Bohnen as Collarless Man

            Steven Geray as Holie

            Joe Sawyer as Babe Dooley

            Constance Worth as Mrs. Raymond

            Joseph Crehan as Lt. Kane

            Ernie S. Adams as Waiter

            Fred Aldrich as Beefy Guest

            Joan Barton as One-legged Man

            Billy Bletcher as Waiter

            Peter Breck as Counterman

            Al Bridge as Detective Smiley

            William Challee as Ray

            Eddy Chandler as Policeman

            Jack Cheatham as Policeman

            Jack Daley as Snoring Man

            Myrna Dell as Hatcheck Girl

            Mike Pat Donovan as Sweating Trickster

            Ralph Dunn as Capt. Dill

            Al Eben as Taxi Driver

            Dick Elliott as Chap

            Virginia Farmer as Janitress

            Carl Faulkner as Policeman Drawing Diagram

            Jerry Frank
            
            Edward Gargan as Bouncer

            Edmund Glover as Taxi Driver

            Dorothy Granger as Ticket Girl

            Eddie Hart as Policeman

            Annelle Hayes as Society Woman

            Earl Hodgins as Barker

            John Ince as Elderly Sleeper

            Jack Kenney as Headwaiter

            Larry McGrath as Whispering Man

            Philip Morris as Policeman

            Emory Parnell as Capt. Bender

            Lee Phelps as Philosophical Policeman

            Jason Robards Sr. as Policeman

            Dick Rush as Policeman

            Shimen Ruskin as Sam

            Walter Soderling as Husband

            George Tyne as Ray

            Philip Warren as Jerry Robinson

            Billy Wayne as Billy White

            Lawrence Wheat as Derelict

            Armand "Curly" Wright as Fruit Peddler

            Tom Quinn
            
            Roger Creed as Policeman

            Sammy Blum as Sam Taxi Driver

            Frank Meredith as Policeman

            Alan Ward as Yerkes

            Edgar Caldwell as Dancer

            Connie Conrad as Mrs. Bender

            Dorothy Curtis as Giddy Woman

            Betty Gillette as Woman With Dog

            Florence Pepper as Dancing Girl

            Pearl Varvell as Woman

            John Elliott as Sleepy Man

            Larry Thompson as Drunk
See full cast