When composer George Harvey Bone wakes with no memory of the previous night and a bloody knife in his pocket, he worries that he has committed a crime. On the advice of Dr. Middleton, Bone agrees to relax, going to a music performance by singer Netta Longdon. Riveted by Netta, Bone agrees to write songs for her rather than his own concerto. However, Bone soon grows jealous of Netta and worries about controlling himself during his spells.
Directed by John Brahm
fire
composer
scotland yard
pop singer
seduction
film noir
murder
strangler
manipulativeness
psychiatry
psycho
repressed memory
garrote
true love
concerto
guy fawkes night
sonata
cunning woman
dissociative identities
pub
forensic medicine
impressario
guy fawkes bonfire
incinerated corpse
chamber orchestra
narcissistic woman
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.8 / 5
Cast
Laird Cregar
George Harvey Bone
Linda Darnell
Netta Longdon
George Sanders
Dr. Allan Middleton
Glenn Langan
Eddie Carstairs
Faye Marlowe
Barbara Chapman
Alan Napier
Sir Henry Chapman
Ted Billings
Pub Patron (uncredited)
Clifford Brooke
Night Watchman in Square
Ann Codee
Netta's Maid Yvette (uncredited)
Charles Coleman
Man at Bonfire (uncredited)
Francis Ford
Ogilby - Fulham Antique Dealer (uncredited)
Leyland Hodgson
Det. Sgt. Lewis (uncredited)
Crew
John Brahm
Director
Bernard Herrmann
Original Music Composer
Patrick Hamilton
Novel
Popular Reviews
23 reviews
Megan Goatley
8.0★ · 08/16/25
That last shot oh my god
That last shot oh my god
Finn Davis
9.0★ · 07/27/25
Disguising your murder victim as an effigy of Guy Fawkes in order to dispose of the body is the coolest way I’ve ever seen anyone cover up a murder in a movie ever
Disguising your murder victim as an effigy of Guy Fawkes in order to dispose of the body is the coolest way I’ve ever seen anyone cover up a murder in a movie ever
nana
1.0★ · 07/22/25
truly a terrible bore of a film. 78 minutes felt like 4 hours. the music was also unbelievably shit. i have a blaring headache and i want to take a shot now.
truly a terrible bore of a film. 78 minutes felt like 4 hours. the music was also unbelievably shit. i have a blaring headache and i want to take a shot now.
S
That black sequin gown is gorgeous
That black sequin gown is gorgeous
Tommy Holland
9.0★ · 11/19/23
One of the most underrated and overlooked noirs I have seen. Bernard Herrmann’s score goes way too hard and perfectly elevates the dark vibe and style this movie has going for it. Some genuinely god-mode sequences in this, especially that ending.
One of the most underrated and overlooked noirs I have seen. Bernard Herrmann’s score goes way too hard and perfectly elevates the dark vibe and style this movie has going for it. Some genuinely god-mode sequences in this, especially that ending.