Footsteps in the Dark (1941)

A respected investment advisor has a double life as a mystery writer and becomes involved in the real murder of a shady client.

Director:

Lloyd Bacon

Writers:

Ladislas Fodor (play), Bernard Merivale (play),

Stars:

Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall, Ralph Bellamy

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Errol Flynn	...	Francis Monroe Warren II
Brenda Marshall	...	Rita Warren
Ralph Bellamy	...	Dr. R.L. Davis
Alan Hale	...	Police Insp. Charles M. Mason
Lee Patrick	...	Blondie White
Allen Jenkins	...	Mr. Wilfred
Lucile Watson	...	Mrs. Agatha Archer
William Frawley	...	Det. 'Hoppy' Hopkins
Roscoe Karns	...	Monahan
Grant Mitchell	...	Wellington Carruthers
Maris Wrixon	...	June Brewster
Noel Madison	...	Leopold Fissue
Jack La Rue	...	Ace Vernon (as Jack LaRue)
Turhan Bey	...	Ahmed
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
George Campeau	...	Burlesque Patron (scenes deleted)

Storyline

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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Plot Keywords:

murder | mystery writer | double life | police | yacht | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Mystery | Crime

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 March 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pasos en la oscuridad

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original play called "Katzenzungen" was written by Ladislas Fodor using the pseudonym W. George Selous. It was adapted into English by Bernard Merivale, with additional dialogue by Jeffrey Dell, and produced in London under the title "Blondie White."

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Goofs

When Francis is talking to Blondie White, she says she'll meet him at the bus station in an hour. "That's four O'Clock." she says. When Francis is with his secretary, looking for her later the same day, Francis suggests she might be at rehearsal, and the secretary says they don't start until 2'O clock. That means it's earlier now than when he left home, after breakfast, to go to Blondie's Apartment.

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Quotes

Det. 'Hoppy' Hopkins: [to the turbanned Ahmed Bey] What's the matter? You got a headache?

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Connections

References The Maltese Falcon (1941)

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Soundtracks

"Up the Chimney Go My Dreams"
(uncredited)
Music by Ray Henderson

User Reviews

Errol Flynn with a Bow Tie

Never realized that Errol Flynn made a comedy in 1941 with Brenda Marshall and a great cast of veteran actors who were all in the top of their acting careers. This is a very funny film about a rich financial investment banker, Francis Monroe WarrenII (Errol Flynn),"Cry Wolf", who also on the side writes mystery books and keeps it all a complete secret from his family. Brenda Marshall,(Rita Warren), "Whispering Smith", plays the role of a rather dumb wife who begins to get suspicious of her husbands 3 AM arrivals through their bedroom window almost every night. Ralph Bellamy, (Dr. R.L.Davis),"Rosemary's Baby plays the role as a dentist and does more than pull teeth painlessly. Alan Hale along with Allen Jenkins give great supporting roles along with a fast paced comedy that is full of laughs and that bow tie on Errol Flynn did me IN! Enjoy