The Web (1947) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A bodyguard's doubts unravel a scheme of deception, murder, and framing until the architect is caught.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Bodyguard's Fatal Assignment

Kroner leaves prison, and Colby hires Regan after claiming to be threatened. A gunshot in the study ends with Regan killing Kroner.

Key Events

• Kroner Leaves Prison — Leopold Kroner is released after five years for embezzlement. Characters: Leopold Kroner Location: Prison
• Colby Claims a Threat — Colby claims that Kroner has threatened him after leaving prison. Characters: Andrew Colby, Leopold Kroner Location: Andrew Colby's residence
• Regan Is Hired — Colby hires Regan as a personal bodyguard. Characters: Bob Regan, Andrew Colby Location: Andrew Colby's residence
• Gunshot in the Study — Regan hears a gunshot and finds Kroner inside Colby's study. Characters: Bob Regan, Andrew Colby, Leopold Kroner Location: Colby's study
• Study Confrontation — Kroner turns and points a gun at Regan. Characters: Bob Regan, Leopold Kroner Location: Colby's study
• Kroner Is Shot — Regan kills Kroner during the confrontation. Characters: Bob Regan, Leopold Kroner, Andrew Colby Location: Colby's study

Doubts Behind the Shooting

Damico's suspicion and Martha's failed attack force Regan to question Colby's account. Martha reveals that Kroner was invited and mentally sound.

Key Events

• Damico Raises Doubts — Damico reveals his suspicion that Regan murdered Kroner. Characters: Bob Regan, Lt. Damico Location: Police office
• Martha Confronts Regan — Martha arrives at Regan's apartment after her father's death. Characters: Bob Regan, Martha Kroner Location: Regan's apartment
• Failed Apartment Murder — Martha tries but fails to murder Regan. Characters: Bob Regan, Martha Kroner Location: Regan's apartment
• Martha Reveals the Deception — Martha says Colby invited Kroner and that Kroner was mentally sound. Characters: Bob Regan, Martha Kroner, Andrew Colby, Leopold Kroner Location: Regan's apartment

Evidence Beneath the Story

Regan researches the embezzlement case and questions Colby's Secretary. A deceptive telephone impersonation gives Colby an opportunity to turn the investigation into a trap.

Key Events

• Regan Questions the Case — Regan obtains information about Kroner's embezzlement case from a reporter. Characters: Bob Regan Location: Newspaper office
• Secretary Provides Information — Regan gets further information from Colby's Secretary. Characters: Bob Regan, Secretary Location: Colby's office
• The False Phone Identity — Regan has a friend impersonate a Colby associate on the telephone. Characters: Bob Regan Location: Regan's office
• Colby Sets a Trap — Colby exploits the phone deception to construct a trap for Regan and the Secretary. Characters: Andrew Colby, Bob Regan, Secretary Location: Andrew Colby's residence

The Fingerprint Frame

Colby uses the safe and a weapon bearing Regan's fingerprints to frame Regan and the Secretary for theft and murder. Damico counters the scheme by faking the associate's survival.

Key Events

• Money Leaves the Safe — Colby innocently asks the Secretary to remove money from his safe. Characters: Andrew Colby, Secretary Location: Colby's office
• Colby Commits Another Murder — After the Secretary leaves, Colby kills his associate with a weapon bearing Regan's fingerprints. Characters: Andrew Colby Location: Colby's office
• The Theft and Murder Frame — Regan and the Secretary are framed for theft and murder. Characters: Andrew Colby, Bob Regan, Secretary Location: Colby's office
• Damico Fakes a Survival — Damico tricks Colby into believing that the murdered associate is still alive. Characters: Lt. Damico, Andrew Colby Location: Police office

Caught in the Web

Believing the associate can expose him, Colby attempts to strangle him. Damico catches Colby red-handed, bringing the deception to its decisive resolution.

Key Events

• Colby Returns to Silence Him — Colby sneaks downstairs to strangle the supposedly living associate. Characters: Andrew Colby Location: Colby's residence
• Colby Is Caught — Colby is caught red-handed while attempting to silence the associate. Characters: Andrew Colby, Lt. Damico Location: Colby's residence

Story Breakdown

• Kroner's Release — Kroner's return from prison provides the pretext for Colby's defensive story.
  • Prison Discharge — Leopold Kroner is released after five years for embezzlement.
  • Threat Allegation — Andrew Colby claims that Kroner has threatened him.
• The Bodyguard Assignment — Colby recruits Regan for protection, placing him inside the later crime scene.
  • Colby Hires Regan — Regan becomes Colby's personal bodyguard.
  • Study Gunshot — Regan hears a gunshot from Colby's study.
• Fatal Study Confrontation — The apparent attack by Kroner ends in a shooting that Regan later questions.
  • Kroner Points Gun — Kroner turns and points a gun at Regan.
  • Regan Shoots Kroner — Regan kills Kroner during the confrontation.
• Martha's Counterattack — Martha seeks revenge but instead exposes weaknesses in Colby's explanation.
  • Apartment Assault — Martha unsuccessfully tries to murder Regan.
  • Sanity Revelation — Martha says Kroner was sane and had been invited by Colby.
• Regan's Investigation — Regan gathers information about the embezzlement case and Colby's actions.
  • Case Research — A reporter provides information about Kroner's embezzlement case.
  • Secretary Interview — Regan obtains additional information from Colby's Secretary.
• The Telephone Deception — Regan uses an impersonated associate to obtain information, unintentionally giving Colby leverage.
  • False Associate Call — Regan's friend impersonates one of Colby's associates by telephone.
  • Trap Constructed — Colby turns the deceptive call into a trap for Regan and the Secretary.
• The Framing Scheme — Colby combines money, murder, and fingerprints to place blame on Regan and the Secretary.
  • Safe Money Removal — Colby asks the Secretary to remove money from his safe.
  • Fingerprint Weapon — Colby kills an associate with a weapon bearing Regan's fingerprints.
• Damico's Final Ruse — Damico reverses Colby's deception by making him believe that his murdered associate remains alive.
  • False Survival — Damico tricks Colby into thinking the associate is still alive.
  • Caught Red-Handed — Colby is caught while trying to strangle the supposedly living associate.

Directed by

Michael Gordon

Key Cast

• Ella Raines — Noel Faraday
• Edmond O'Brien — Bob Regan
• William Bendix — Lt. Damico
• Vincent Price — Andrew Colby
• Maria Palmer — Martha Kroner