A Shot in the Dark (1941): Cast & Plot
A Shot in the Dark is a 1941 mystery drama directed by William C. McGann, starring Ricardo Cortez as Phillip Richards, Donald Douglas and Maris Wrixon. It runs 57 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 57 min
- Director
- William C. McGann
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- First National Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is A Shot in the Dark About?
The premise of A Shot in the Dark without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A reporter and a police detective sort through the clues in a night-club owner’s murder.
A Shot in the Dark Themes & Keywords
· 22 tags- detective
- murder
- nightclub
- singer
- reporter
- gun
- police
- elevator
- racketeer
- nightclub owner
- taxi
- brother sister relationship
+10 more Show fewer
- chase
- jealousy
- self sacrifice
- gunfire
- socialite
- engagement
- escape
- handkerchief
- threat
- romantic rivalry
A Shot in the Dark Cast & Characters
Ricardo Cortez leads the cast as Phillip Richards, with Donald Douglas as Roger Armstrong and Maris Wrixon as Helen Armstrong. Directed by William C. McGann; 32 actors are credited in all.
- Director William C. McGann
-
Ricardo Cortez as Phillip Richards - Donald Douglas as Roger Armstrong
- Maris Wrixon as Helen Armstrong
- Theodore von Eltz as George Kilpatrick
Also Starring in A Shot in the Dark
· 28 more- John Gallaudet Schaffer
- Lucia Carroll Clare Winters
- William Lundigan Peter Kennedy
- Nan Wynn Dixie Waye
- Regis Toomey William Ryder
- Noel Madison Al Martin
- Lee Phelps Blaney
- Gino Corrado Waldo - Nightclub Chef (uncredited)
- Emory Parnell Marsotti
- Paul Panzer Paul - Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)
- Frank Wilcox Naval Officer
- Cliff Saum Police Guard (uncredited)
- Jack Wise Photographer
- Jimmy Conlin Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
- William Hopper Reporter (uncredited)
- Dave Willock Elevator Operator (uncredited)
Show all 32 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Frank M. Thomas Klein
- William Phillips Taxi Driver (uncredited)
- Al Lloyd Reporter (uncredited)
- Don Turner Reporter (uncredited)
- Gus Glassmire Hotel Manager (uncredited)
- Reid Kilpatrick Police Broadcaster (uncredited)
- Claude Wisberg Bellboy (uncredited)
- Will Morgan Tony - Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
- Michael Conroy Messenger Boy (uncredited)
- Garrett Craig Connors
- George Campeau Reporter (uncredited)
- Loretta Rush Chambermaid (uncredited)
More from William C. McGann
More films directed by William C. McGann: American Empire, Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die, In Old California and Highway West.
A Shot in the Dark Plot Summary
What happens in A Shot in the Dark from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Nightclub owner Philip Richards [Ricardo Cortez] announces that he will marry Helen Armstrong [Maris Wrixon] and plans to sell the club to George Kilpatrick [Theodore von Eltz]. A local racketeer, Schaffer [John Gallaudet], grows wary of Philip’s decision to turn down a bigger offer and issues a threat that puts Kilpatrick in the crosshairs. Philip’s ex-girlfriend Clare Winters [Lucia Carroll] tries to stop the sale, even pulling a pistol in a tense confrontation that Philip wrests away and safely hides.
Full summary
The whole story of A Shot in the Dark, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know A Shot in the Dark?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the owner of the nightclub at the start of the film?
Seen A Shot in the Dark?
Movies Like A Shot in the Dark
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including A Shot in the Dark, A Night for Crime and Shoot to Kill.
A Shot in the Dark FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of A Shot in the Dark, each answered in a sentence.
How long is A Shot in the Dark?
A Shot in the Dark runs 57 minutes.
When was A Shot in the Dark released?
A Shot in the Dark was released on April 5, 1941.
Who directed A Shot in the Dark?
A Shot in the Dark was directed by William C. McGann.
More films by William C. McGann Who is in the cast of A Shot in the Dark?
A Shot in the Dark stars Ricardo Cortez as Phillip Richards, Donald Douglas as Roger Armstrong and Maris Wrixon as Helen Armstrong, among 32 credited actors.
Does A Shot in the Dark have a post-credit scene?
No. A Shot in the Dark has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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