Keith Vincent (Edward Ashley) is a famous Hollywood composer and pianist. He is also a womanizer who displays professionally shot photographs of his conquests prominently in his living room. Each time he breaks off with a woman his composes a song for her as a parting gesture. He refers to all his ex-girlfriends as Dolores. The latest song he is writing he calls “Nocturne”. As he is composing the song, a woman sits in shadow on the couch. Vincent chatters to her nonchalantly about the song and about how their affair is now ending. As he writes a shot is heard and Vincent falls to the floor.
Lt. Halberson (Walter Sande) is in charge of the investigation. Working with him is Lt. Joe Warne (George Raft). So far, all indications are that Vincent committed suicide. They find Susan Flanders (Myrna Dell) sleeping in a back bedroom. Susan says she is the housekeeper, but she also happens to be an ex-con. Halberson believes the suicide scenario, but they still take Susan in for some routine questioning. All the while Warne believes that murder is not out of the question.
While everyone else is ready to end the investigation Warne begins poking around trying to identify the woman in Vincent’s photographs. Warne’s hardheaded approach gets him in trouble with his boss, Earn (Robert Malcolm), the chief of detectives. Earn’s efforts to get him to stop aren’t working so Warne is suspended.
Warne figures out that one of the photographs is missing and goes to the photographer, Charles Shawn (John Banner) for information. Warne finds out that the girl with the missing picture is Frances Ransom (Lynn Bari). The investigation into Frances Ransom leads Warne to her sister, Carol Page (Virginia Huston), a piano player named Ned “Fingers” Ford (Joseph Pevney) and the shady gang at a local dive called the “Keyboard Club”. Warne’s inquiries result in more killing, attempted killing, and cover-up.
“Nocturne” was released in 1946 and was directed by Edwin L. Marin. It is an American mystery thriller and a film noir. Although the film did well when released, it has since been a little difficult to find. Still, it managed to become somewhat of a cult favorite.
George Raft is not necessarily a favorite with a lot of people. I don’t have a problem with him. Sure, he does seem stiff at times but it’s part of his whole “hardboiled” persona. Co-starring with Raft, and stealing more of the spotlight, is Lynn Bari as Frances Ransom. My favorite part though is the rapport between Raft’s character and his mother, played by Mabel Paige.
Virginia Huston's singing was dubbed by Martha Mears. Mears was the singing voice for lots of Hollywood stars during her career. Another interesting tidbit is that the movie was produced by Joan Harrison, an old-time associate of Alfred Hitchcock.
All in all, it’s a good noir style film and worth looking for.