The Fallen Sparrow (1943)

In the chilling heart of November 1940, John McKittrick, an ex-NYPD officer's son and a survivor of the Spanish Civil War's haunting POW camps, urgently leaves his Arizona convalescence haven. His mission: to unravel the eerie circumstances behind the alleged accidental death of his old friend, Police Lieutenant Louie Lepetino, who once rescued him from the clutches of war. McKittrick's journey takes him through the labyrinthine streets of New York City, where shadows of doubt hang over even the most familiar faces. The mystery intensifies at a Park Avenue high-rise, the scene of Louie's fatal plunge during a party hosted by Barby Taviton, McKittrick's erstwhile lover. Among the party's attendees are members of the Refugee Committee, an enigmatic nightclub singer, Whitney Parker, and the wheelchair-bound Norwegian historian, Dr. Christian Skaas. Each character harbors secrets, their motives as murky as the city at night. As McKittrick delves deeper into the investigation, he battles not only the external menace but also his inner demons, heightened by the haunting echo of labored footfalls reminiscent of his POW days. Amidst the swirling maelstrom of suspicion and deceit, McKittrick finds himself chased by Nazi agents, desperate to obtain a mysterious item he brought back from Spain. The stakes escalate when another friend falls victim to a ruthless murder, leaving McKittrick lost in a fog of distrust. Even the enchanting Toni Donne, Prince François de Namur's granddaughter who flits into his life unannounced, isn't free from suspicion, complicating matters as McKittrick finds himself irresistibly drawn to her. In "The Fallen Sparrow," loyalties are tested, love is questioned, and the line between reality and paranoia blurs. McKittrick's relentless pursuit of truth takes him down a treacherous path, where the past's specter lurks around every corner, and trust is as elusive as a shadow in the city that never sleeps.

The Fallen Sparrow is a drama movie featuring John Garfield and directed by Richard Wallace.

The Fallen Sparrow is currently streaming on DIRECTV.