Crime by Night (1945) in Color — Starring Jane Wyman & Jerome Cowan

Crime by Night (1945) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Crime by Night, the 1945 film noir directed by William Berke and starring Jane Frazee, now available as a professionally colorized version. A private eye and his secretary probe a murder and find an international spy. This classic film noir combines the hard-boiled detective tradition with wartime espionage, creating a hybrid genre that reflects the anxieties and complexities of the post-war period. Set in the shadowy world of private investigation and international intrigue, the film explores themes of deception, loyalty, and the blurred lines between criminal and patriotic motives. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

A private eye and his secretary probe a murder and find an international spy. The investigation begins as a routine murder case, but as the detective digs deeper, he uncovers evidence that the killing is connected to a web of international espionage. The victim, initially appearing to be an ordinary citizen, is revealed to have connections to foreign agents and wartime secrets.

The private eye, a hard-boiled detective with the typical noir combination of cynicism and moral code, works with his loyal secretary to unravel the mystery. Their investigation takes them through the underworld of the city, encountering gangsters, femme fatales, and mysterious figures with hidden agendas. The noir atmosphere is established through shadowy settings, rain-slicked streets, and the moral ambiguity of the characters they encounter.

As the investigation progresses, the detective discovers that the murder is part of a larger conspiracy involving international espionage and the theft of sensitive information. The international spy at the center of the plot is revealed to be operating under deep cover, with motives that are not purely criminal but potentially political or patriotic. The film builds to a climax where the detective must confront the spy and decide whether justice requires exposing the spy to authorities or allowing them to continue their mission for the greater good.

Cast & Crew

Director: William Berke

Stars: Jane Frazee, Jerome Cowan, Richard Erdman, Lloyd Bridges, Connie Marshall

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Crime by Night was originally filmed in black and white, with cinematography that captured the classic noir aesthetic of shadowy streets, moody interiors, and dramatic lighting. This professionally colorized restoration enhances every scene with frame-by-frame precision, from the detective’s atmospheric office to the shadowy alleys and elegant nightclubs where the investigation unfolds. The colorized version reveals new visual richness in the film’s noir settings, where the period-accurate 1940s clothing, cars, and urban environments gain authenticity that transports viewers to the post-war American city. The film’s noir atmosphere gains additional depth in color, where the contrast between light and shadow, the vibrant colors of the city at night, and the muted tones of the detective’s world create a visually stunning experience. Now also available in colour.

Buy Crime by Night in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Released in 1945, Crime by Night represents the intersection of film noir and wartime espionage thrillers during the transition from World War II to the Cold War. The film was released at the very end of World War II, a period when the alliance between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union was beginning to fray and the seeds of the Cold War were being sown. The film’s combination of hard-boiled detective fiction with international espionage reflects the era’s shifting concerns from wartime to post-war anxieties.

Film noir, which flourished in the 1940s, often reflected the moral ambiguity and psychological dislocation of the wartime and post-war periods. Crime by Night continues this tradition while adding the element of international intrigue that would become more prominent in the late 1940s and 1950s as Cold War paranoia set in. The film’s ambiguous ending, where the detective must make a moral choice about the spy, reflects the era’s growing uncertainty about clear-cut moral distinctions.

The film’s release in 1945, as the war ended and Americans began to confront the realities of peacetime, speaks to the cinema’s role in processing the transition from wartime to post-war life. The noir genre, with its themes of corruption, deception, and moral ambiguity, was perfectly suited to capture the mood of a society emerging from war and facing an uncertain future. Through modern colorization, this classic noir reaches new audiences who can appreciate its stylish cinematography, its hybrid genre elements, and its reflection of the anxieties of the post-war period. Now also available en couleur.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 / MKV digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: English original mono
• Runtime: 64 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Who stars in Crime by Night?
A: Jane Frazee stars in the film, with supporting performances by Jerome Cowan, Richard Erdman, Lloyd Bridges, and Connie Marshall.

Q: What is the plot of Crime by Night?
A: A private eye and his secretary investigate a murder and discover an international spy, combining film noir with wartime espionage elements.

Q: Is Crime by Night a film noir?
A: Yes, the film is a classic film noir that combines hard-boiled detective fiction with international espionage, reflecting the anxieties of the post-war period.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as MP4 and MKV files that play on virtually any device.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

Related Colorized Classics

• The Great Impostor (1960)
• Band of Outsiders (1964)
• A Slight Case of Larceny (1953)
• Appointment with Danger (1950)
• Barbary Coast (1935)