Nocturne (film)

Plot

A Hollywood film composer is found dead. The police think it is suicide but a cop, Joe Warne (Raft), suspects murder. Warne begins looking for "Dolores," a name in a song by the dead man. While investigating, Warne finds out the dead man has had a list of models as girlfriends and that ten of them have a motive for the suspected murder.

His ruthless questioning tactics lead to several suspects reporting him for abuse. Pursuing the case with dogged determination, the obsessed Warne is eventually suspended from the police force while on the case. As he digs deeper into the case, the clues draw him closer to Frances Ransom (Bari), who may be involved in the killing.

Cast

Production

George Raft and Edward Marin had just made Johnny Angel together from RKO which proved popular. Raft's involvement in Nocturne was announced in September 1945. (In between Johnny Angel and Nocturne, Raft and Martin made Mr. Ace for Benedict Bogeaus.) Joan Harrison was signed by RKO to produce the film.

Jane Greer was up for the female lead but George Raft went for the better known Lynn Bari. Bari was borrowed from 20th Century Fox. Filming started in May 1946.

Release

The film was popular on release and recorded a profit of $568,000.

Reception

When the film was released, the staff at Variety magazine wrote, "Nocturne is a detective thriller with action and suspense plentiful and hard-bitten mood of story sustained by Edwin L. Marin's direction."