THE ZERO HOUR (1939) Frieda Inescort, Otto Kruger & Adrienne Ames | Drama, Romance | B&W

The Zero Hour is a 1939 American drama film directed by Sidney Salkow.

SYNOPSIS
A theater producer and his protege star fall in love and decide to wed. In route to their nuptials, tragedy strikes and the would-be groom ends up bound to a wheelchair. Nine years later, the wife tries to adopt a little girl.

A kindly theatrical producer mentors a beautiful young girl and helps her to become a big Broadway star. In time the two fall in love and decide to wed. En route to a justice of the peace, tragedy strikes the happy couple and the would-be groom ends up permanently paralyzed. Still, his girl remains devoted to him and the marriage proceeds. Nine years pass and the woman decides she wants to adopt a child. All things seem to be in place for the adoption, but a widower shows up to claim the child. The wife and the widower begin an affair soon after meeting. When the husband finds out, he selflessly executes his final option to ensure his wife's future happiness.

CAST & CREW
Frieda Inescort as Linda Marsh
Otto Kruger as Julian Forbes
Adrianne Ames as Susan
Don Douglas as Brewster
Jane Darwell as Sophie
J. M. Kerrigan as Timothy
Ann Todd as Beth
Leonard Carey as Butler
Sarah Padden as Sister Theodosia
Ferris Taylor as Weber
Willard Parker as Lansdowne
Landers Stevens as Doctor

Directed by Sidney Salkow
Written by Garrett Fort
Produced by Sol C. Siegel
Cinematography Ernest Miller
Edited by William Morgan
Production company Republic Pictures
Distributed by Republic Pictures Corporation
Release date May 26, 1939
Running time 53 minutes (American edited version), 65 minutes
Country United States
Language English