Danger Signal (1945)

In the heart of Los Angeles, Hilda Fenchurch, a dedicated public stenographer and notary, lives a humble life with her mother, while her younger sister Anne recovers from tuberculosis in a sanitarium. Amidst the city's housing crisis, their mother decides to rent out their spare room, a move that Hilda initially opposes until the charming ex-serviceman and struggling writer, Ronald Mason, shows interest. Enraptured by their charismatic new boarder, the Fenchurches agree to suspend Ronnie's rent until he can sell a story or two, a decision primarily influenced by Hilda. Romance soon blossoms between Hilda and Ronnie, leading to a secret engagement. However, the plot thickens when Anne returns home, and despite noticing her sister's fondness for Ronnie, falls head over heels for him, entangling them in a complicated love triangle. But Ronnie is not as he appears. While he poses as a struggling writer and an ex-serviceman, he is actually a cunning fortune hunter, preying on women to swindle them out of their money. His interest shifts from Hilda to Anne when he discovers that marriage to Anne would secure him a hefty inheritance of $25,000. Unbeknownst to Hilda, her suitor's past is darker still. His previous victim, a lonely married woman named Alice Turner, was not only robbed but also murdered by him. Although her death was officially ruled a suicide, the police are covertly hunting for Ronnie, suspecting his involvement. Meanwhile, Alice's vengeful husband, Thomas Turner, is also hot on Ronnie's trail, seeking justice for his wife's untimely death. As Hilda starts to unravel the truth about Ronnie's sinister motives, she is caught in a race against time. Can she expose Ronnie's true nature and protect her love-struck sister before she becomes his next victim? Amidst the swirl of deception and danger, "Danger Signal" is a riveting tale of love, betrayal, and suspense, where appearances can be deadly deceiving, and trust could cost you everything.

Danger Signal is a crime movie featuring Faye Emerson.

Danger Signal is currently streaming on TCM.