What Is Another Face About?
The premise of Another Face in 322 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a city that never sleeps, a desperate fugitive known only as Dawson turns to an underground surgeon for the ultimate escape: a complete facial reconstruction that could hide him from the law forever. The procedure is overseen by the morally ambiguous Dr. H. L. Buler, while a young nurse named Mary McCall watches closely, recognizing the man behind the new mask the moment the bandages are lifted. The transformation leaves him bearing a strikingly different and unexpectedly alluring visage, a change that sets the tone for a story that balances raw underworld grit with the seductive glare of the spotlight.
With his former identity erased, Dawson adopts the polished alias Spencer Dutro and steps into the glittering world of Hollywood’s studio system. Here, press agents, starlets, and studio executives swirl around him, each eager to craft the next big sensation. Among them, the charismatic press agent Joe Haynes spins publicity like a magician, while the poised actress Sheila Barry represents the very image of classic cinema elegance. The bustling lot, the rehearsal halls, and the glossy back‑lot become a new hunting ground where a former outlaw must learn the rules of a different kind of performance.
As Dutro navigates this glossy façade, Mary reappears, offering a peculiar mentorship that goes beyond mere survival. She introduces him to the nuances of femininity and social grace, teaching him how to read and be read by the women who populate his new universe. Their uneasy alliance highlights a clash of worlds: the harsh practicality of a life once ruled by crime and the delicate art of illusion that fuels the film industry’s dream machine.
The film moves through shadows and spotlights alike, drawing viewers into a tense, almost satirical dance between identity and image. It asks whether a man can truly rewrite himself when every reflection—whether in a mirror, a camera lens, or another’s gaze—reminds him of the past he is trying to forget.
What Happens in Another Face?
The complete story of Another Face, from the first scene to the last, in 553 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 8 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
On the run from the police, the gangster Dawson turns to a desperate, underground solution: a facial change carried out by the unscrupulous Dr. H. L. Buler. He is helped by the nurse Mary McCall, who is stunned to recognize her patient when the transformation is complete. When Dawson’s new face finally appears, he is astonished by how different and pretty it is, and his rough-underworld ego is met with a glimmer of newfound confidence. His underling Muggsie Brown lurks nearby, muttering that he now looks as handsome as a movie star.
Dawson’s next moves are ruthless and cold-blooded: he sends Muggsie to eliminate both Dr. H. L. Buler and Mary McCall, hoping to erase any trace of the secret. Then he phones in an anonymous tip to get rid of everyone who knows about his altered appearance. Muggsie carries out the orders, killing Buler and a nurse (not McCall) before he himself is cut down by the police. The shocking news hits the papers, and McCall, terrified, flees across the country to escape the scrutiny and danger that now surround her.
Driven by the sudden lure of fame and the chance to vanish into a new life, Dawson decamps for Hollywood and begins to fashion a second identity for himself. Under the alias Spencer Dutro, he trains in elocution and poses as a genuine gangster-turned-film figure, landing a role opposite the poised star Sheila Barry under the direction of Bill Branch. Barry is not easily impressed by Dutro’s façade or his inflated sense of self, and she makes her skepticism clear as he fumbles through his lines and his bravado.
Meanwhile, in the studio world, press agent Joe Haynes pours himself into showmanship and publicity stunts, even as Police Captain Spellman and studio manager Charles L. Kellar warn him to rein in the chaos. Haynes is approached by Mary McCall, who—sent by her fiancé, Western star Tex Williams—offers a chance at work and a believable connection to the outside world. Her recognition of Dutro from publicity photos in Haynes’ office sets a dangerous chain of events in motion, as Haynes plots to exploit the situation for even more headlines and clout.
Dawson’s plan to ride the wave of stardom continues to unfold as he moves through the studio system, and the tension between his public persona and his private past grows thicker. After Mary McCall warns him of the risk, the tangled web of deception tightens, forcing everyone to confront who is pulling the strings and who is truly in danger. When Dutro’s presence becomes a liability, the film’s energy shifts toward a high-stakes chase that zigzags through studio corridors and into the crowded lot.
The climax arrives during a tense sequence on the film set, where Dutro grabs Sheila Barry and uses the chaos to his advantage. Haynes follows, determined to salvage the situation and protect his own reputation, while Barry’s reactions swing between fear and resolve. In a furious confrontation inside a locked space, Haynes manages to subdue Dutro in a decisive moment of grit and quick thinking. By the story’s end, Barry forgives Haynes for his latest publicity-stoked misadventure, closing the loop on a tale of vanity, deception, and the costs of chasing a glamorous image in a world where the line between truth and image is constantly blurred.
Another Face Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Dawson undergoes facial transformation” to “Dutro is knocked out and the caper ends”. 11 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Dawson undergoes facial transformation
Wanted by the police, gang leader Broken Nose Dawson goes to Dr. H. L. Buler to have his appearance changed. Nurse Mary McCall is aghast when she recognizes her patient. Dawson emerges amazed by his new face.
When:early in the film Where:Dr. Buler's clinic
- 2
Dawson orders a hit to erase the new identity
Dawson sends Muggsie Brown to eliminate Dr. Buler and Mary McCall, hoping to erase anyone who knows about the new appearance. Muggsie carries out the double hit, killing Buler and a nurse. He is then gunned down by the police.
When:shortly after the transformation Where:Buler's clinic
- 3
Mary McCall flees after the murders
Frightened by the newspaper reports of the killings, Mary McCall flees across the country. She knows Dawson's secret and fears for her safety as she travels to stay ahead of those who might expose him.
When:after the murders Where:Across the United States
- 4
Dawson becomes a movie star in Hollywood
Dawson decides to become a movie star and moves to Hollywood. He starts elocution lessons to perfect his transformed persona. He adopts the alias Spencer Dutro to hide his past.
When:after fleeing Where:Hollywood
- 5
Dutro lands a role opposite Sheila Barry
Under the alias Spencer Dutro, he is hired to portray a gangster opposite top actress Sheila Barry by director Bill Branch. Barry is unimpressed by Dutro's acting and inflated ego. The role marks the beginning of his film career.
When:early in the film Where:Zenith Studio
- 6
Studio publicity stunts draw official warning
Zenith Studio publicity man Joe Haynes is warned by Police Captain Spellman about his reckless stunts. Studio general manager Charles L. Kellar agrees that the stunts must stop. The looming tension foreshadows the film's chaotic events.
When:before filming Where:Zenith Studio offices
- 7
Mary reconnects at the studio
Mary McCall calls Haynes to seek a job and recognizes Dutro from publicity photos. When Dutro arrives at the office, Haynes locks Mary in a closet for her safety. He then decides to withhold police action to turn the situation into publicity.
When:during the studio's preparations Where:Haynes' office
- 8
Plans to milk the 'capture' unfold
Haynes persuades the studio to keep Dutro in the spotlight rather than call for help. Kellar reluctantly approves the plan to use Dutro's presence as a publicity coup. The idea is to push the shooting into high gear under a cloud of danger.
When:that night Where:Studio offices
- 9
A chaotic night shoot with a hostage situation
Haynes arranges for everyone to work on the film that night, including Barry, who is anxious about her upcoming marriage to Tex Williams. Dutro storms onto the set, takes Barry hostage, and escapes with her. He also seizes Haynes during the ensuing pursuit.
When:that night Where:Zenith Studio
- 10
The chase within the studio building
Dutro attempts to slip away toward a car, but Haynes forces Barry outside and locks the interior door. A tense chase erupts through the studio building as security closes in on the fugitives. The pressure of the pursuit intensifies as the night wears on.
When:that night Where:Studio building
- 11
Dutro is knocked out and the caper ends
Haynes finally knocks Dutro out, ending the immediate danger. Sheila Barry forgives Haynes for his latest publicity-steeped caper. The immediate crisis resolves as authorities close in on the story and the star remains a public enigma.
When:end of the sequence Where:Studio interior
Who Are the Main Characters in Another Face?
8 characters, among them Broken Nose Dawson / Spencer Dutro III (Brian Donlevy), Mary McCall (Molly Lamont) and Joe Haynes (Wallace Ford): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- BN
Broken Nose Dawson / Spencer Dutro III (Brian Donlevy)
Played by Brian Donlevy
A wanted gangster who surgically alters his face to escape justice and reinvent himself as a suave movie star. He uses manipulation and bravado to control others, revealing how easily appearance can mask intent. His dual identities propel the plot, but his criminal nature shadows every 'new' life.
- 🎭 Dual identity
- 🧠 Cunning
- 💥 Dangerous
- MM
Mary McCall (Molly Lamont)
Played by Molly Lamont
A nurse who recognizes Dawson under his new face and becomes entangled in the schemes of Hollywood publicity. She is principled, resourceful, and driven by loyalty to her fiancé. Her actions spark the pursuit of truth as the story unfolds.
- 👩⚕️ Nurse
- 💡 Moral compass
- 🏃♀️ Resourceful
- JH
Joe Haynes (Wallace Ford)
Played by Wallace Ford
A studio press agent who thrives on sensational publicity, orchestrating stunts to boost the studio’s image. He balances showmanship with practicality, risking danger to maximize headlines. His ambitions illuminate the power and ethics (or lack thereof) in public relations.
- 🗣️ Publicity
- 🧭 Ambition
- 🕵️♂️ Manipulation
- SB
Sheila Barry (Phyllis Brooks)
Played by Phyllis Brooks
A leading actress who becomes involved with the transformed Dawson and influences his Hollywood trajectory. She is initially unimpressed by his egotism, yet the dynamic between them drives the film’s star-driven plot. Her perspective grounds the glamour against the underlying menace.
- 🎬 Actress
- 💔 Relationship tension
- 🧭 Independent
- TW
Tex Williams (Jack Randall)
Played by Jack Randall
A Western film star and Mary’s fiancé, who becomes part of the studio’s publicity machinery. He embodies the tension between personal loyalty and the Hollywood machine’s demands. His presence anchors the personal stakes within the showbiz world.
- 🎖️ Western Star
- 💼 Industry Insider
- ❤️ Loyalty
- CL
Charles L. Kellar (Alan Hale)
Played by Alan Hale
The studio’s general manager who oversees production and approves publicity strategies. He represents the corporate side of Hollywood and the tension between risk-taking and responsibility. His decisions shape the film’s direction and the fate of those around him.
- 🏢 Studio Executive
- 🧭 Cautious
- 📈 Ambition
- BB
Bill Branch (Paul Stanton)
Played by Paul Stanton
The director who hires Dutro to play a gangster, bridging Dawson’s criminal past with his screen persona. He functions as a gatekeeper within the industry’s process of turning real-life into fiction. His collaboration with Haynes highlights the collaborative nature of creating a star.
- 🎬 Director
- 🤝 Collaboration
- 🧭 Gatekeeper
- DH
Dr. H. J. Buler (Oscar Apfel)
Played by Oscar Apfel
The physician who assists Dawson in changing his appearance, unwittingly enabling his escape. His role underscores the moral gray area of scientific meddling for fame. His murder catalyzes the film’s crime plot and the ensuing chase.
- 🧪 Scientist
- ⚖️ Ethics
- 🕯️ Moral ambiguity
Where and When Is Another Face Set?
Another Face is set in Hollywood, California, Zenith Studio, Yuma and Arizona (1930s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1930s
The story unfolds in the early 1930s, a period when talkies and publicity were shaping the careers and images of film stars amid the Great Depression. The era's mix of glamour and hardship informs the characters' ambitions and schemes. Public relations and sensational narratives dominate the industry's landscape.
Where
Hollywood, California, Zenith Studio, Yuma, Arizona
Set around Hollywood's studio system with scenes on a studio lot at Zenith Studio. The city serves as the backdrop for star-making schemes and public spectacles. It contrasts the glossy facade of film fame with the criminal undercurrents driving the plot.
- 🎬 Film Industry
- 🏙️ Hollywood
- 🎭 Glamour
What Are the Themes of Another Face?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Identity, Fame & Publicity and Crime & Consequences.
-
01
Identity
Dawson undergoes a physical transformation to mask his past and pursue fame as a movie star. The narrative probes how outward appearance can redefine perception, status, and power. Dual identities drive the tension as the man behind the face struggles with his conscience and criminal past.
-
02
Fame & Publicity
The plot treats publicity as a commodity that can manufacture a person’s fame. A scheming press agent orchestrates stunts and spin to control public perception. The pursuit of headlines blurs moral boundaries and fuels dangerous decisions.
-
03
Crime & Consequences
Dawson’s criminal past surfaces through killings and a police pursuit. The murders drive the narrative forward and threaten everyone who knows his hidden identity. Law enforcement closes in as the publicist’s schemes threaten to implode.
-
04
Illusion
Hollywood glamour vests illusion over reality, with characters playing roles that mask true intentions. The film exposes how the entertainment world can sanitize and sensationalize danger. The line between screen persona and real threat becomes dangerously thin.
What Kind of Film Is Another Face?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A tense and suspenseful drama about a criminal's ruthless pursuit of a new identity in Hollywood, filled with deception and moral compromise, set against the glamorous but dangerous backdrop of the studio system.
- anxious
- deceptive
- glamorous
- tense
- suspenseful
- ruthless
- identity change
- crime and punishment
- fame and vanity
- chase and pursuit
Content notes: murder, planned assassination.
Quiz
How well do you remember Another Face? Test yourself on the story.
