What Is All Through the Night About?
The premise of All Through the Night in 304 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the neon‑lit streets of wartime New York, the city’s glittering Broadway district hides a restless undercurrent of intrigue. Nightlife hums with the clatter of cards, the roll of dice, and whispered rumors of foreign agents prowling the avenues. Against a backdrop of looming global conflict, the ordinary pulse of the metropolis is tinged with the uneasy feeling that something far more dangerous is moving just out of sight.
At the heart of this swirling world is Gloves Donahue, a charismatic Broadway gambler whose love of high‑stakes games is matched only by his fascination with military toys and imagined war scenarios. He moves effortlessly between smoky casino tables and the bustling streets, his easy charm masking a keen intuition. His mother, a steadying presence, keeps a watchful eye on his exploits, while the colorful cast of singers, club owners, and fellow gamblers round out a vibrant community that feels both like a family and a revolving door of opportunity.
When the carefree rhythm of the gambling scene brushes against the shadowy machinations of wartime espionage, the stakes suddenly rise beyond chips and cash. A rumor circulates that Nazi saboteurs—operating like a clandestine Gestapo cell—are plotting something audacious involving an American battleship. The notion that the city’s beloved entertainment world could intersect with such a perilous scheme draws Gloves and his companions deeper into a web of secrecy and tension, where every grin may conceal a hidden agenda.
The film balances the sleek, noir‑styled atmosphere of 1940s New York with a wry, kinetic energy that mirrors the restless heartbeat of the city itself. Its tone fuses sharp humor with underlying dread, inviting viewers to watch as charismatic gamblers navigate a world where the line between play and peril blurs, and where a chance encounter could thrust them into the heart of an extraordinary, high‑risk adventure.
What Happens in All Through the Night?
The complete story of All Through the Night, from the first scene to the last, in 746 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In this engaging tale set against the backdrop of wartime intrigue, the story follows the adventures of Humphrey Bogart, known as Gloves Donahue, a prominent Broadway gambler with a penchant for imagining war scenarios with military toys. While enjoying a meal at a restaurant, Gloves is displeased when he receives a cheesecake not made by his favorite baker, Mr. Miller. His mother, Jane Darwell, expresses concern that Miller, who is missing, might have met with foul play, sensing that something sinister is afoot. Gloves investigates and discovers that Miller has been murdered, his body found in the bakery. In the aftermath, a young singer, Kaaren Verne, who was present, quickly departs upon hearing the grim news. Gloves’ mother believes that Leda Hamilton, a talented young singer, might possess vital information about the case, prompting her to track her down at a nightclub.
At the nightclub, tensions escalate as Gloves confronts Leda, who is upset and creating a disturbance over Miller’s death. The situation intensifies when Marty Callahan, a co-owner of the club, calls Gloves to assist in calming things down. During their interaction, Gloves shares a drink with Leda, but chaos ensues when her piano player, Pepi, Peter Lorre, takes her away to a back room, where unexpectedly, he shoots Joe Denning, a partner of Marty. Leda and Pepi then vanish in a taxi, leaving Gloves stunned and searching for answers. Before succumbing, Joe Denning raises five fingers, signaling Gloves to uncover who’s behind the murder, but Gloves inadvertently leaves one of his own gloves at the scene.
As suspicion grows and Gloves becomes a suspect in Joe Denning’s murder, he begins tracing the taxi to an antiques auction house operated by Hall Ebbing, played by Conrad Veidt, and his assistant, Madame. Gloves attempts to blend in by posing as a bidder but is soon recognized by Pepi. Trusting Leda initially, Gloves finds her at a secret location, but she soon knocks him out, leaving him tied up with Sunshine—an associate who was previously captured—inside a storage room. Later, Leda returns to free them, revealing a shocking discovery: they stumble upon a room filled with maps, charts, a short-wave radio, and a portrait of Adolf Hitler. The pieces of the puzzle come together as Gloves realizes that the captors are Nazi fifth columnists, the so-called “fivers.” Glimpsing at a notebook, Gloves uncovers that Miller and Leda share connections rooted in World War II atrocities, including references to Dachau and her original Jewish name, Uda Hammel.
With Leda’s help, Gloves and Sunshine narrowly escape, pursued into Central Park. Leda explains her situation—her work with Ebbing and the Nazi spies is a desperate effort to save her father’s life. Gloves fights off a Nazi as Leda reads a torn-out page, revealing her father is already dead, a fact that devastates her. The trio then seeks refuge at the police station, but authorities, skeptical of Gloves’ story, attempt to arrest him. In a daring move, Gloves dives into the East River to escape, eventually reaching his lawyer’s apartment. However, his troubles are far from over as Marty and his gang invade, seeking vengeance for Joe Denning’s murder. After convincing them of his innocence, Gloves manages to unite the two gangs against the Nazi spies, turning the tide of the clandestine war.
The climax intensifies as Gloves, Sunshine, and Barney confront Nazi operatives at an underground meeting. Disguised as Nazis, they manage to infiltrate the gathering, capturing two of the enemies, and disrupt their plans. Ebbing attempts to escape, asking Pepi to join him in a reckless attack on a battleship in New York harbor, but Pepi refuses. Ebbing murders Pepi and proceeds alone, heading to the docks where Gloves follows him. Ebbing forces Gloves into a motorboat laden with explosives, steering it toward the battleship with a gun to his head. Demonstrating quick thinking and courage, Gloves manages to steer the boat off course and abandon it, causing the explosion to take Ebbing instead.
In the aftermath, Gloves and Leda learn that all charges against him have been dropped, and he is to be honored at city hall for his bravery. Meanwhile, his mother, Jane Darwell, reappears at the scene, worried about her missing milkman and expressing her ever-present feeling that something’s not right—highlighting her persistent intuition.
This longer, detailed journey underscores the themes of heroism, deception, and relentless pursuit of justice amid the chaos of wartime espionage, with a cast of compelling characters navigating danger at every turn.
All Through the Night Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Gloves plays with military toys in a restaurant” to “Resolution and honor for Gloves”. 11 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Gloves plays with military toys in a restaurant
Alfred 'Gloves' Donahue is depicted as a wealthy Broadway gambler who entertains himself by playing with military toys, imagining fighting Hitler during a meal at a restaurant. His mood is disrupted when he receives a cheesecake that is not made by his favorite baker, Mr. Miller. His mother, Ma Donahue, hints that something sinister might have happened to Miller.
Where:Restaurant
- 2
Discovery of Miller’s dead body
Gloves searches the bakery after his mother mentions Miller's disappearance and finds Miller’s dead body, indicating foul play. This event deepens the mystery and raises suspicion around Miller’s murder. Meanwhile, Leda Hamilton, a young singer, leaves the bakery upon hearing about Miller’s death.
Where:Bakery
- 3
Mrs. Donahue contacts Leda Hamilton
Ma Donahue deduces that Leda might know something about Miller’s death and tracks her down to a nightclub. She causes a scene by complaining loudly about Miller’s murder, attempting to draw out information from Leda. Marty Callahan, the club co-owner, calls Gloves to handle the situation.
Where:Nightclub
- 4
Leda leaves with Pepi after a confrontation
While at the nightclub, Gloves shares a drink with Leda, but she is taken away by her piano player, Pepi. Pepi drags Leda to a back room where he shoots Joe Denning, Marty’s partner, and then they escape together in a taxi, leaving Gloves confused and suspicious.
Where:Nightclub
- 5
Discovery of Joe Denning’s murder and Earning a clue
Gloves discovers Joe Denning’s body after the shooting, and before dying, Joe raises five fingers, hinting at the identity of Leda’s kidnapper. Gloves leaves the scene with one of his gloves, which becomes a clue in the investigation. He begins to suspect that the kidnappers are connected to Nazi fifth columnists.
Where:Nightclub
- 6
Investigation at the antiques auction house
Gloves traces the taxi to an antiques auction house run by Hall Ebbing. Disguised as a bidder, he spots Leda and begins to trust her, but she knocks him out and leaves him tied up. He finds himself with Sunshine, and they plan to escape from captivity.
Where:Antiques auction house
- 7
Discovery of Nazi plans and Miller’s involvement
While escaping, Gloves and Sunshine find a room filled with maps, charts, a short-wave radio, and a portrait of Hitler. Gloves discovers Miller’s name in a notebook, revealing his connection to the Nazis, and uncovers Leda’s true identity as Uda Hammel, whose father died in Dachau. They realize their captors are Nazi fifth columnists.
Where:Storage room
- 8
Leda explains her true motives
Leda reveals she works with Ebbing only to save her father’s life. She is devastated to learn that her father has already died, and the group heads into Central Park to evade Nazi pursuers. Gloves fights a Nazi while Leda reads the torn page confirming her father’s death.
Where:Central Park
- 9
Capture and interrogation at the police station
Gloves and Leda are taken to the police station, but Ebbing bails her out before they arrive. They find her being forced into a car, which they follow to a secret Nazi meeting underground. Gloves and Sunshine manage to impersonate Nazis, exposing the secret hideout.
Where:Police station and underground Nazi meeting
- 10
Climactic confrontation at the docks
Ebbing attempts to carry out a destructive plan to blow up a battleship in New York harbor, forcing Gloves into steering a motorboat loaded with explosives. Gloves tricks Ebbing by steering the boat off course and jumps into the water, causing the boat to crash and explode, thwarting the attack.
Where:Docks, New York harbor
- 11
Resolution and honor for Gloves
Back at the police station, Gloves is cleared of all charges, and the mayor announces plans to honor him for his bravery. Meanwhile, Ma Donahue complains about her missing milkman, maintaining her instinct that something is amiss, continuing the mystery. Leda is safe, and the Nazi threat is thwarted.
Where:Police station and city hall
Who Are the Main Characters in All Through the Night?
4 characters, among them Gloves Donahue (Humphrey Bogart), Leda Hamilton (Kaaren Verne) and Joe Denning (Edward Brophy): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Gloves Donahue (Humphrey Bogart)
Played by Humphrey Bogart
A charismatic Broadway gambler turned amateur detective, Gloves is clever, resourceful, and determined to uncover the truth behind the Nazi spy plot. His street smarts and quick wit make him a natural trouble-shooter in dangerous situations.
- 🃏 Charismatic
- 🕵️♂️ Determined
- 🗽 Brave
- LH
Leda Hamilton (Kaaren Verne)
Played by Kaaren Verne
A young singer with a hidden past connected to Jewish history and Dachau, Leda is cautious yet courageous. Her motives are driven by a desire to save her father and stop Nazi espionage, revealing strength and resilience amidst peril.
- 🎤 Resilient
- 🛡️ Secretive
- ✨ Brave
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Joe Denning (Edward Brophy)
Played by Edward Brophy
A loyal associate whose murder triggers the investigation, Joe is vigilant and dependable. His final act of signaling Gloves underscores his commitment and the danger posed by Nazi spies.
- 🔫 Loyal
- 🕵️♂️ Vigilant
- 💀 Tragical
-
Madame (Judith Anderson)
Played by Judith Anderson
An elegant and possibly sinister figure working in the antiques auction house, Madame is a key part of the Nazi espionage network. Her composed demeanor hides her manipulative intentions.
- 🎭 Mysterious
- 🧩 Deceptive
- 🎩 Elegant
Where and When Is All Through the Night Set?
All Through the Night is set in New York City, Central Park, East River and Battleship in New York harbor (World War II era, early 1940s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
World War II era, early 1940s
The story takes place during the early 1940s, amidst the tension of World War II. This period is characterized by global conflict, espionage activities, and the rise of Nazi influence, which form the backdrop for the espionage and Nazi conspiracy themes in the film.
Where
New York City, Central Park, East River, Battleship in New York harbor
The movie is set in New York City, a bustling metropolis known for its iconic landmarks and diverse neighborhoods. Key scenes occur in Central Park, a vast green oasis within the city, and along the East River, emphasizing the city's maritime environment. The climax involves a battleship in New York harbor, highlighting the city's strategic and historical importance.
- 🌆 Urban
- 🗽 Iconic
- 🌳 Natural
- 🚢 Maritime
What Are the Themes of All Through the Night?
2 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Espionage and Conflict and Courage.
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01
Espionage
The movie revolves around clandestine activities, Nazi spies, and secret missions. The characters uncover a Nazi fifth column operation in New York, emphasizing themes of loyalty, secrecy, and espionage in wartime.
-
02
Conflict and Courage
The characters demonstrate bravery in confronting danger, fighting Nazi agents, and protecting their country. The story highlights individual heroism amidst perilous situations involving sabotage and terrorism.
What Kind of Film Is All Through the Night?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Happy
A fast-paced, tense wartime thriller where a Broadway gambler is thrust into a dangerous conspiracy, creating a suspenseful and urgent race against time to thwart Nazi saboteurs on the home front.
- tense
- urgent
- suspenseful
- anxious
- conspiratorial
- dangerous
- war propaganda
- nazi spies
- false accusation
- murder investigation
Content notes: murder, war violence, attempted suicide bombing, coercion, references to Dachau.
Quiz
How well do you remember All Through the Night? Test yourself on the story.
