Somewhere in the Night (1946)

89% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(513 ratings)

George Taylor (John Hodiak) is a war veteran suffering from amnesia with only two clues to his past: the bitter letter from a woman who hates him and another mysterious letter signed "Larry Cravat." Taylor goes to Los Angeles to meet Cravat. It turns out that Cravat is wanted for murder and the… More George Taylor (John Hodiak) is a war veteran suffering from amnesia with only two clues to his past: the bitter letter from a woman who hates him and another mysterious letter signed "Larry Cravat." Taylor goes to Los Angeles to meet Cravat. It turns out that Cravat is wanted for murder and the robbery of $2 million. George becomes involved with a singer, Christy (Nancy Guild) and is chased by mobsters while on a search for the stolen money. There ensue a series of chases, an interesting plot twist and a surprise ending as John learns the true identity of Cravat.Somewhere in the Night is the quintessential "amnesia victim" as protagonist film, somewhat slow, but nevertheless, engrossing and suspenseful. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Sep 6, 2005
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox

Critic Reviews

Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
Joseph L. Mankiewicz's nervous nightmare (made in his first year of directing) isn't an all-hallowed member of the noir canon -- it's fairly slick, and Mankiewicz has little or no existentialist cred. But it sings the school's black-hearted lament.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
As a straight piece of melodramatic staging, this Twentieth Century-Fox film is all right.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
It's a decent picture, though the auteur touches (the visual stiffness, the tendency to drag scenes out long after the dramatic point has been made) are largely negative.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
An engrossing crime thriller.
Tom Milne, Time Out
Out of this familiar premise, Mankiewicz has fashioned a classic film noir.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an engaging noir...
Brent Simon, Now Playing Magazine
Convolutions and narrative alleyways quickly capsize the boat of engrossing coherency...
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
It's smashingly photographed in the classic styles of the genre.
, Film4
A no name cast conjures up some atmospheric thrills under the direction of Mankiewicz.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A quintessential amnesiac story.

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Good wronged man noir. Hodiak is solid if somewhat stolid but he possesses the proper gravitas for the lead. The plot is explained a little too much rather than acted out visually but still a good film with an excellent supporting cast.
Michael G

There's good film noir and bad film noir. This is bad film noir.
Anthony V

Nice little bit of Film Noir.

Cast

            Charles Arnt as Little Man

            Richard Benedict as Technical Sergeant

            Whit Bissell as John Bartender

            Richard Conte as Mel Phillips

            Clancy Cooper as Attendant

            Jeff Corey as Bank Teller

            Mary Currier as Miss Jones

            Jack Davis as Dr. Grant

            Henri DeSoto as Headwaiter

            Sam Flint as Bank Guard

            Nancy Guild as Christy Smith

            John Hodiak as George Taylor

            Josephine Hutchinson as Elizabeth Conroy

            John Kellogg as Medical Attendant

            Fritz Kortner as Anzelmo

            Sheldon Leonard as Sam

            Charles Marsh as Hotel Clerk

            Louis Mason as Brother Williams

            Forbes Murray as Executive

            Lloyd Nolan as Lt. Donald Kendall

            Lou Nova as Hubert

            John Russell as Marine Captain

            Al Sparlis as Anzelmo's Henchman

            Houseley Stevenson Sr. as Conroy

            Harry Tyler as Baggage Room Attendant

            Margo Woode as Phyllis

            Philip Van Zandt as Navy Doctor

            Maynard Holmes as Police Stenographer

            Milt Kibbee as Proprietor

            Al Seymour as Men at Bar

            John Ireland
            
            Edward Kelly
            
            Henry Morgan as Bath Attendant

            Morris Carnovsky
            
See full cast