A Close Call for Boston Blackie 1946

Crime

Mystery

Runtime

60 mins

Language

English

Directed by

Lew Landers

Made by

Columbia Pictures

Where to Watch A Close Call for Boston Blackie

See current US streaming, rental, and purchase options for A Close Call for Boston Blackie (1946) via JustWatch.

IndieFlix

Stream

IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel

JustWatch TV

Mometu

Plex

Plex Channel

The Roku Channel

Streaming availability powered by

Test your knowledge of A Close Call for Boston Blackie with our quiz!

A Close Call for Boston Blackie Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for A Close Call for Boston Blackie (1946). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Boston Blackie [Chester Morris] defies Inspector Farraday’s friendly advice to stop helping women and steps into danger to protect Geraldine “Gerry” Peyton [Lynn Merrick], an old flame who pleads for help safeguarding her baby from her newly paroled husband. In a tense moment, John tracks them down and, assuming the child belongs to Blackie, draws a gun. A brutal struggle erupts, and an unseen third party fires the fatal shot that kills John. Acting on an anonymous tip, Farraday [Richard Lane] arrives soon after and jumps to a swift conclusion, blaming Blackie for the dead man.

Blackie enlists the help of his loyal sidekick, the Runt [George E. Stone], who hides the baby at the apartment of the Runt’s girlfriend, Mamie Kirwin [Claire Carleton]. Meanwhile, Blackie makes a dash to escape the clumsy Sergeant Matthews [Frank Sully] as the investigation unfolds. Gerry and Smiley Slade [Erik Rolf] circle Gerry’s wealthy father-in-law, Cyrus Peyton [Chester Morris], in a bid to pull off a ruthless—yet outdated—swindle. The twist comes when the baby is revealed to be Hack Hagen’s [Charles Lane], and the plot to frame Blackie thickens as Hagen’s involvement becomes central. Smiley fires, and Hagen is shot, muddying the loyalties and forcing Blackie deeper into a web of staged peril.

Disguised as Cyrus, Blackie heads to confront the pair, determined to uncover the truth. He manages to overpower Smiley Slade, but Farraday bursts in just as the dust settles, arrests Blackie, and lets Gerry and Smiley go free. Yet this arrest is part of a larger joke on Blackie, as Farraday quietly unmasks the real culprits and resets the balance. When Blackie descends the stairs, he finds Gerry and Smiley now in handcuffs, leaving the detective with the uneasy sense that the truth was far more intricate than a simple accusation. The case closes with Blackie catching the threads of deception, and Farraday’s deeper insight into who truly orchestrated the danger bringing the entire scheme into daylight.

A Close Call for Boston Blackie Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of A Close Call for Boston Blackie (1946) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Blackie agrees to protect Gerry's child

Boston Blackie intervenes when Gerry Peyton is attacked by two men, ignoring Inspector Farraday's advice. Gerry begs him to protect her baby from her husband John, who has just been paroled. Blackie's decision sets the rescue mission in motion.

John Peyton confronts Blackie and the baby goes into danger

John finds Gerry and Blackie together and assumes the child is Blackie's. He draws a gun and a fight breaks out, during which an unseen third party shoots John. The incident deepens the mystery surrounding the baby's true parentage.

Farraday arrives on an anonymous tip

Acting on an anonymous tip, Inspector Farraday arrives and quickly suspects Blackie of being responsible for the dead body. He stakes out the scene and starts an investigation that points toward Blackie. The mood thickens as Blackie's alibi is challenged.

The baby is hidden away

Blackie orders the Runt to hide the infant at the apartment of the Runt's girlfriend, Mamie Carleton. This move buys time and distances the child from immediate danger. The plan foreshadows the looming framing scheme.

Mamie Carleton's apartment

Blackie escapes surveillance

Blackie escapes from the dimwitted Sergeant Matthews. He slips away amid the confusion and continues to juggle multiple dangers. The escape raises the stakes for everyone involved.

Gerry and Smiley plot to swindle Cyrus Peyton

An investigation begins to close in on Blackie, and Gerry teams with Smiley Slade to swindle Gerry's wealthy father-in-law, Cyrus Peyton. Their scheme centers on cashing in on a family fortune. The plan inadvertently links Blackie to the Peyton family crisis.

The baby’s true parentage revealed

The infant is revealed to be Gerry's brother Hack Hagen's child, not Blackie's. They framed Blackie to make John disappear. This revelation reframes the entire case and increases Gerry's risk.

Hagen is shot when trying to back out

When Hagen tries to back out of the scheme, Smiley shoots him. The shooting escalates the tension and puts the criminals further on the defensive. Blackie watches the results from a perilous vantage.

Disguised Blackie confronts the criminals; Farraday intervenes

Blackie, disguised as Cyrus Peyton, goes to see Gerry and Smiley. He manages to overpower Smiley, attempting to extract the truth. Farraday bursts in, arrests Blackie, and lets Gerry and Smiley go free as part of a misguided sting.

Farraday reveals the real culprits

Farraday finally reveals that he has identified the real crooks in the case. The breakthrough comes after Blackie's arrest, signaling that the authorities have seen through the ruse. The outcome clears Blackie in the eyes of some observers.

Final arrest and postscript

When Blackie goes downstairs after the denouement, he sees Gerry and Smiley handcuffed, confirming that justice has been served. The town returns to calm as Blackie mutters about the strange night. Farraday's uneasy respect for Blackie's resourcefulness lingers.

Epilogue: Blackie's vindication

Blackie is vindicated as the truth surfaces and the true criminals are caught. The episode ends with Blackie dodging suspicion and walking away from the night's chaos with a wry smile.

A Close Call for Boston Blackie Characters

Explore all characters from A Close Call for Boston Blackie (1946). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Boston Blackie (Chester Morris)

A clever, quick-witted sleuth who freely helps women in peril, often clashing with Inspector Farraday. He uses disguises, most notably posing as Cyrus Peyton, to infiltrate criminals and protect Gerry and the baby. Although blamed for a murder and chased by the law, his resourceful nature and sense of justice keep him one step ahead. He remains loyal to Gerry while navigating a web of trickery and misdirection.

🕵️ Sleuth 🧠 Quick-witted 🎭 Master of disguise

Geraldine 'Gerry' Peyton

An ex-lover who orchestrates schemes to safeguard her baby and advance her own goals. She is calculating, capable of manipulation, and willing to involve others in deception to secure money and status from her father-in-law Cyrus Peyton. Her emotions run deep, revealing a protective streak for the child even as she pursues her own interests. Her plans intersect with Blackie’s as the net tightens around those who would profit from the confusion.

🧠 Calculating 🎭 Deceptive 🕵️‍♀️ Charismatic

The Runt (George E. Stone)

Blackie’s loyal, albeit not-too-bright, sidekick who helps hide the baby and gets drawn into the scheme. He trusts Blackie and Mamie, keeping calm under pressure and providing a safe place for the child at his girlfriend Mamie Kirwin's apartment. His simple thinking often lightens the tension in tense moments while keeping the plan rolling.

🗝️ Loyal 🧠 Simple-minded 🎭 Sidekick

Smiley Slade (Erik Rolf)

Gerry's accomplice who plays a key role in the attempted swindle and the killing of John. He is cunning and ruthless, adding tension with his willingness to shoot and orchestrate escape routes. He is eventually confronted by Blackie and outmaneuvered, though not before causing significant trouble.

🧠 Cunning 🗡️ Ruthless 🎭 Partner in crime

Hack Hagen

Gerry's brother, the real owner of the baby according to the plot twist. His involvement centers on protecting family interests and ensuring his own link to the child isn't severed. His position in the scheme makes him a central figure in the revelation that the baby belongs to Hack Hagen.

🧬 Family ties 🧭 Caution 🔫 Tension

Inspector Farraday

The police inspector who tries to warn Blackie away from helping Gerry, but ultimately uncovers the true criminals. He pieces together the alibi and misdirections, arresting Blackie at one point, only to reveal the real culprits later. His methodical approach contrasts with Blackie’s improvisational style, culminating in a resolution that vindicates Blackie.

🕵️‍♂️ Law 🧠 Detecting 🎯 Final truth

Mamie Kirwin

The Runt's girlfriend who provides a safe refuge for the baby in her apartment, becoming part of the keepsafe plan. She remains a steady, practical presence amid the chaotic schemes and always connected to The Runt and Blackie's circle.

🏠 Shelter 🧭 Loyal 🎭 Involved

Sgt. Matthews

A dimwitted police sergeant who becomes an obstacle for Blackie as he tries to evade capture. His blundering efforts provide comic relief while raising the stakes for Blackie's escape and the ongoing investigation.

😂 Comic relief 🧭 Obstinate 🕵️‍♂️ Law enforcement

Cyrus Peyton (as Boston Blackie)

A disguise identity used by Blackie to infiltrate Gerry's circle and reach the real crooks. This alias helps him maneuver through the scheme but also underscores the risk of mistaken identity.

🕵️‍♂️ Disguise 🧭 Infiltration 🗝️ Deception

A Close Call for Boston Blackie Themes

Discover the main themes in A Close Call for Boston Blackie (1946). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🕵️

Deception

Deception drives the plot at every turn. Gerry and Smiley manipulate perceptions to protect their schemes, while Blackie relies on disguises, including posing as Cyrus Peyton, to outsmart them. An anonymous tip and a gunfight push Blackie into a false criminal role, testing his loyalty and cleverness. The twist shows that the deepest tricks come from those who claim to be protecting someone.

🔎

Justice

Farraday embodies law and order, chasing Blackie even as the inspector eventually pieces together the real crime. The investigation exposes misdirection and ultimately clears Blackie’s name. In a final reversal, the true crooks are unmasked, vindicating Blackie’s resourceful instincts. The outcome blurs the line between justice and cleverness.

👶

Family

The protection of the child anchors the narrative. Gerry’s motive to shield the baby from danger ties into her schemes and alliances. The baby is revealed to belong to Hack Hagen, Gerry’s brother, highlighting family ties and competing loyalties. The story blends crime with the instinct to safeguard loved ones, even when deception seems easier.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore the mobile app

A Close Call for Boston Blackie Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of A Close Call for Boston Blackie (1946). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the classic tradition of mystery cinema, Boston Blackie continues to walk the fine line between a reformed thief and a reluctant hero. Despite the constant surveillance and skepticism of Inspector Farraday, Blackie’s instinct to help those in distress pulls him toward trouble with an irresistible gravity. His world is one of quick disguises, sharp dialogue, and a persistent tension between his past reputation and his current intentions, creating an atmosphere where danger is never more than a step away.

The narrative ignites when Geraldine “Gerry” Peyton, a woman from Blackie’s romantic past, re-enters his life seeking protection. Her circumstances are precarious, involving a recently paroled husband and the safety of a child, dragging Blackie into a volatile family dispute. When a sudden death occurs within the walls of Blackie’s own apartment, the situation shifts from a personal favor to a desperate fight for freedom. The police, quick to judge based on Blackie’s history, immediately cast him as the prime suspect.

Forced to clear his name, Blackie relies on his wits and the unshakeable loyalty of his sidekick, the Runt. The investigation requires him to navigate a complex web of deception where past lovers and hidden agendas intersect. As he works to unmask the real perpetrators, Blackie must outmaneuver both the criminal element and the law, turning a straightforward accusation into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. The stakes are personal and professional, requiring him to solve a mystery that is far more intricate than it appears on the surface.

Can’t find your movie? Request a summary here.

Movies with Similar Twists and Themes

Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.