The Truth About Murder (1946) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Christine's pursuit of courtroom authority turns a professional lie detector skill into the means of exposing a murderer and surviving his threat.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Career Beyond Testing

Christine administers lie detector tests for district attorney Lester Ashton but wants to become a courtroom prosecutor. Frustrated, she leaves Lester and joins lawyer William Ames Crane.

Key Events

• Christine Administers Tests — Christine administers lie detector tests for district attorney Lester Ashton. Characters: Christine Allen, Lester Ashton Location: District attorney's office
• Christine Seeks Courtroom Work — Christine becomes frustrated because she wants to become a prosecutor in court. Characters: Christine Allen Location: District attorney's office
• Christine Leaves Lester — Christine leaves Lester's employment to pursue courtroom work elsewhere. Characters: Christine Allen, Lester Ashton Location: District attorney's office
• Christine Joins Bill — Christine begins working for lawyer William Ames Crane. Characters: Christine Allen, William Ames Crane Location: William Ames Crane's law office
• Marsha's Unhappy Marriage — Marsha is introduced as Bill Crane's unhappy wife. Characters: Marsha Crane, William Ames Crane Location: Crane household

Affairs And False Hopes

Marsha Crane's unhappy marriage, gambling, and flirtation create several tensions around the Crane household. Lester deceives Bill about reconciliation, while Paul reveals his affair with Marsha.

Key Events

• Marsha Places Bets — Marsha makes large bets with bookie Johnny Lacka. Characters: Marsha Crane, Johnny Lacka Location: Unspecified betting setting
• Marsha Flirts Publicly — Marsha openly flirts with Peggy's husband, creating social tension. Characters: Marsha Crane, Peggy Location: Unspecified social setting
• Lester Wants Christine Back — Lester's love for Christine motivates him to try bringing her back. Characters: Lester Ashton, Christine Allen Location: Unspecified setting
• Lester Misleads Bill — Lester fools Bill into believing that Marsha wants reconciliation. Characters: Lester Ashton, William Ames Crane Location: Unspecified setting
• Paul Announces Affair — Paul tells Bill that he and Marsha have become romantically involved. Characters: Paul Marvin, William Ames Crane, Marsha Crane Location: Unspecified setting

Deaths And Suspicion

Marsha is found dead, causing suspicion to fall on Bill. Johnny refuses to pay Marsha's twenty-thousand-dollar winnings, and Peggy is then killed.

Key Events

• Marsha Is Found Dead — Marsha is found dead after her affair becomes known. Characters: Marsha Crane, William Ames Crane, Lester Ashton Location: Unspecified location
• Bill Becomes Suspect — Lester and the police naturally suspect Bill after Marsha's death. Characters: William Ames Crane, Lester Ashton Location: Unspecified investigation setting
• Marsha Wins Twenty Thousand — Marsha's bet produces winnings totaling twenty thousand dollars. Characters: Marsha Crane, Johnny Lacka Location: Unspecified betting setting
• Lacka Refuses Payment — Johnny refuses to pay Marsha the twenty thousand dollars she won. Characters: Johnny Lacka, Marsha Crane Location: Unspecified betting setting
• Peggy Is Killed — Peggy is killed amid the continuing murder and betting complications. Characters: Peggy, Paul Marvin Location: Unspecified location

The Lie Detector Revelation

At a party, Christine persuades the guests to take lie detector tests. Their answers lead her to identify Paul as the killer, after which he threatens her.

Key Events

• Guests Gather At Party — Christine gathers with guests at a party as the mystery remains unresolved. Characters: Christine Allen, Lester Ashton, Paul Marvin, William Ames Crane, Johnny Lacka Location: Party
• Christine Tests The Guests — Christine convinces the party guests to take one of her lie detector tests. Characters: Christine Allen, Lester Ashton, Paul Marvin, William Ames Crane, Johnny Lacka Location: Party
• Christine Identifies Paul — Christine uses the answers to deduce that Paul is the killer behind the murders. Characters: Christine Allen, Paul Marvin Location: Party
• Paul Targets Christine — After Christine's deduction, Paul threatens her as his next potential victim. Characters: Christine Allen, Paul Marvin Location: Unspecified location
• Lester Saves Christine — Lester saves Christine from Paul, and Christine is now in love with Lester. Characters: Christine Allen, Lester Ashton, Paul Marvin Location: Unspecified location

Story Breakdown

• Christine's Career Ambition — Christine seeks a more active legal role than administering tests for the district attorney.
  • District Attorney Work — Christine administers lie detector tests for Lester Ashton.
  • Law Office Transfer — She leaves Lester and begins working for William Ames Crane.
• Lester's Romantic Pursuit — Lester's love for Christine motivates him to manipulate Bill and seek her return.
  • Lester Loves Christine — Lester is in love with Christine and wants her back.
  • False Reconciliation — Lester fools Bill into believing Marsha wants reconciliation.
• Crane Marriage Crisis — Bill and Marsha's unhappy marriage is destabilized by Marsha's affair with Paul.
  • Unhappy Marriage — Marsha is identified as Bill Crane's unhappy wife.
  • Paul's Confession — Paul tells Bill that he and Marsha are romantically involved.
• Gambling And Money — Marsha's betting relationship with Johnny creates a significant financial dispute.
  • Large Bets — Marsha makes large bets with bookie Johnny Lacka.
  • Unpaid Winnings — Johnny refuses to pay Marsha the twenty thousand dollars she won.
• The Murder Pattern — Marsha's death and Peggy's killing transform personal and financial tensions into a murder investigation.
  • Marsha Found Dead — Bill becomes the natural suspect after Marsha is found dead.
  • Peggy Is Killed — Peggy is killed as the connected mystery escalates.
• Lie Detector Revelation — Christine turns a party test into the decisive investigative breakthrough.
  • Party Testing — Christine convinces the guests to take her lie detector tests.
  • Paul Identified — Christine deduces that Paul is the killer behind the murders.
• Threat And Rescue — Paul's exposure places Christine in danger, but Lester intervenes and saves her.
  • Christine Targeted — Christine becomes Paul's next intended victim.
  • Lester Saves Her — Lester rescues Christine, who is now in love with him.

Directed by

Lew Landers

Key Cast

• Bonita Granville — Christine Allen
• Morgan Conway — Lester Ashton
• Rita Corday — Peggy
• Donald Douglas — Paul Marvin
• June Clayworth — Marsha Crane