A motel murder, a missing gambler, and detectives who don't buy the obvious story.
FOOTSTEPS IN THE NIGHT
A gambling addict is the logical suspect in the death of a card-playing neighbor who caused his relapse - too logical, think the two detectives on the case.
Quick Answer
Footsteps in the Night is a 1957 American crime drama mystery film directed by Jean Yarbrough about detectives investigating a motel murder where a gambling addict becomes the prime suspect.
Programmer's Pick
Classic B-movie sleuthing meets motel noir in this brisk 62-minute tangle of suspects and setups. Bill Elliott's Andy Doyle isn't fooled by the easy answers, and the poker-faced drama keeps the cards close until the final reveal.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Why This Matters
This film marks the conclusion of Allied Artists' five-film series featuring Bill Elliott as a police detective, encapsulating both the actor's late-career crime roles and the studio's mid-century approach to film noir.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
The Sunset Villa Motel in West Hollywood turns into a crime scene where every neighbor is a potential suspect.
A compulsive gambler caught in the wrong place at the wrong time raises the stakes for both the detectives and the audience.
Two detectives refuse to take the obvious bait, digging deeper into the clues and motives that others overlook.
With a tight runtime and brisk pacing, this is mid-century noir at its compact, punchy best.
Scene Gallery
Threat File
Murder at a motel after a card game
Suspicion falling on a gambling addict
Police investigation and mounting tension
West Hollywood motels
Questions from the Vault
When was Footsteps in the Night released? +
Footsteps in the Night was released in 1957.
Who directed Footsteps in the Night? +
Jean Yarbrough directed Footsteps in the Night.
How long is Footsteps in the Night? +
Footsteps in the Night has a runtime of 62 minutes.
What genre is Footsteps in the Night? +
Footsteps in the Night is a crime, drama, and mystery film.
Where can I watch Footsteps in the Night? +
Footsteps in the Night is available to stream on SassyFlix.
How do the detectives challenge the obvious suspect in the case? +
Lt. Andy Doyle and Sgt. Mike Duncan question the too-obvious case against Henry Johnson, refusing to accept the gambling addict's guilt without digging deeper into the circumstances of the crime.
Trailers & Clips
