A Kiss in the Dark (1949)

In the whirlwind of New York City, Eric Phillips, a renowned concert pianist, finds himself at a crossroads. After twenty-one years on the concert circuit, his success has brought wealth but also an overwhelming sense of anxiety. His life, micromanaged by his business manager Peter Danilo, is a cacophony of performance schedules and investment ventures, leaving Eric yearning for a break from the relentless tempo. A potential pause in the symphony of his life comes in the form of an unexpected investment - an apartment complex nestled in Manhattan's Morningside Heights neighborhood, the Cleopatra Arms. Sold by the sentimental former owner, Horace Willoughby, who still manages it, Eric finds himself inadvertently thrust into the role of a hands-on landlord. Willoughby, with a romanticized belief in the artist's touch, had envisioned Eric as a caretaker to breathe life into the aging building. Beneath the Cleopatra Arms' weathered façade, Eric encounters a vibrant medley of tenants. They are a unique ensemble of personalities who consider themselves a family, with the sole exception of Mr. Botts, a day-sleeping, noise-averse night worker. Most captivating of all is Polly Haines, a striking print model who adds a harmonious note to Eric's otherwise discordant life. Their mutual attraction strikes a chord, pulling Eric deeper into the rhythm of life at the Cleopatra Arms and further away from his orchestrated existence. The path to their shared harmony, however, is riddled with challenges. Eric and Polly must navigate the dissonance between their contrasting lives, the possessive interference of Polly's former linebacker boyfriend, Bruce Arnold, and the scheming Peter, who is determined to protect his cash cow. In this delightful symphony of life, love, and property management, A Kiss in the Dark presents a captivating exploration of unexpected detours, new beginnings, and the power of an off-script life.

A Kiss in the Dark is a comedy movie featuring David Niven.

A Kiss in the Dark is currently streaming on TCM.

It is also possible to buy A Kiss in the Dark on Amazon Video and Apple TV.