Fugitives for a Night

Fugitives for a Night is a 1938 American Mystery film directed by Leslie Goodwins and written by Dalton Trumbo. The film stars Frank Albertson, Eleanor Lynn, Allan Lane, Bradley Page and Adrienne Ames. The film was released on September 23, 1938, by RKO Pictures.^[1][2][3]

Fugitives for a Night
Lobby card
Directed by	Leslie Goodwins
Screenplay by	Dalton Trumbo
Story by	Richard Wormser
Produced by	Lou Lusty
Starring	Frank Albertson Eleanor Lynn Allan Lane Bradley Page Adrienne Ames
Cinematography	Frank Redman
Edited by	Desmond Marquette
Music by	Roy Webb
Production company	RKO Pictures
Distributed by	RKO Pictures
Release date	September 23, 1938 (1938-09-23)
Running time	63 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

Aspiring actor Matt Ryan has been relegated by the studio to the role of a "stooge" arranging publicity for rising star John Nelson, but when a photo shoot doesn't happen, Nelson winds up walking away from manipulative studio boss Maurice Tenwright. Tenwright then assigns Ryan to act as a stooge for fading star Dennis Poole. In the meantime and in spite of the attentions of studio publicity agent Ann Wray, Ryan tries to pursue actress Eileen Baker, but she shows little interest in him.

Events lead the main characters to a party at the Joshua Club, a desert resort with illegal gambling. As a way of creating media interest, Ryan stages a fake shooting. Soon after, Tenwright advises Ryan to get Poole out of the club because of an impending police raid. During the raid, however, the lights go out and someone shoots and kills Tenwright. When suspicion falls on Ryan, he and Ann get away, eventually hopping on a train's flatbed car.

Thinking that they may know who the killer really is, the couple return to Poole's Hollywood home, where the prime suspects are gathered under the watchful eye of the police captain who expects Ryan to return. Ultimately, the captain performs paraffin tests on the suspects to see who else had recently fired a gun. Poole then confesses and is arrested.

Afterward, Ryan and Ann have coffee at a hamburger stand, considering leaving the movie business. When the stand's owner expresses his frustration with his job, Ryan offers to buy the stand, and he and Ann look forward to a happier life.

Cast

• Frank Albertson as Matt Ryan
• Eleanor Lynn as Ann Wray
• Allan Lane as John Nelson
• Bradley Page as Dennis Poole
• Adrienne Ames as Eileen Baker
• Jonathan Hale as Police Captain
• Russell Hicks as Maurice Tenwright
• Paul Guilfoyle as Monks
• Robert Gleckler as J. G. McGee