Associate producer: Robert Lord. Executive producer: Hal B. Wallis. Copyright 8 March 1941 by Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc. A Warner Brothers-First National picture. New York opening at the Strand: 14 March 1941. U.S. release: 8 March 1941. Australian release: 12 June 1941. 10 reels. 8,699 feet. 96 minutes.SYNOPSIS: A mystery comedy of manners featuring a socialite who writes detective novels (under an assumed name) without the knowledge of his wife and more importantly, his mother-in-law.COMMENT: Errol Flynn made only four comedies in his entire movie career. This is the third—and a delightfully amusing, thoroughly entertaining and utterly enjoyable outing it is too! Although the comedy is fast and furious, the situations become so believable, the mystery itself turns into a fascinatingly suspenseful exercise. All the players approach their roles with exactly the right injections of carefree enthusiasm. Flynn is rippingly debonair. His scenes with waspish Lucile Watson (whom he was to battle again in his fourth and final comedy, "Never Say Goodbye") are laced with diverting barbs which he delivers (and avoids) with charming ease. Also good to see the alluring Brenda Marshall (actually more colorful and picturesque here than in her previous Flynn vehicle, The Sea Hawk), plus the ever-loyal Allen Jenkins. Co-star Ralph Bellamy, as always, provides some of the movie's principal pleasures. The script also provides delicious encounters with other appealing players, including Lee Patrick, Alan Hale, William Frawley, Grant Mitchell and sneeringly sinister Turhan Bey (whom we find so much more adept as a slippery villain than a cut-price romantic lead). Hard to believe that Lloyd Bacon is the director responsible for this vigorous ensemble playing. He also keeps the plot snapping along at scintillating speed, expertly making the most of the film's marvelous production values. In short, "Footsteps in the Dark" comes across as a most agreeably acted, lightly humorous, tongue-in-cheek, impeccably mounted entertainment dessert.

"Footsteps in the Dark" is a 1941 film briskly directed by Lloyd Bacon. It stars Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall, Alan Hale, Lee Patrick, Lucille Watson, Ralph Bellamy, Allen Jenkins, William Frawley, and Turhan Bey.Flynn plays an investment broker leading a double life as a mystery writer, the author of a book called "Footsteps in the Dark." Only his chauffeur knows the truth. When he becomes involved in a real-life murder, his situation starts to create havoc at home.This is a pretty good mystery story, though one can figure it out fairly quickly, and it's enlivened by a wonderful cast. Flynn is delightful and funny, particularly when he's disguised as a Texas oil man, Tex. The unusual-looking Marshall is his frustrated wife and does a fine job, as does the tart-tongued Lucille Watson as his suspicious mother-in-law. Turhan Bey has a small part as a houseman, and he's very exotic. Hale and Frawley are the bumbling police.All in all, good fun, and a nice departure for Flynn.

"Zorro" detective style meets the "Thin Man" franchise in this unbelievably bland crime comedy with broad farcical humour that's not funny and a weak murder mystery that's not thrilling.Flynn vehicles are often silly, but seldom boring. This dud is both. Were it not for the last half hour which is, at least, a little speedier and for the still personable cast, this instantly forgettable by-product would be without any merit. It's evident Warner Bros. just wanted to make a fast buck!Even Alan Hale looks tired!3 out of 10 idiotic aliases

a hidden gem, shows the wide variety of skills errol flynn possessed but was not given credit for until much later. errol could really act, he had an excellent comedic touch and really makes this well written mystery a lot of fun. brenda marshall is her usual gorgeous self, shes a dream. the mystery is well crafted and this was good enough that they should have done a sequel. errol was type cast by the studio as a the prototype "super man" and "action hero", which he did better then anyone. what the studio prevented was errol doing comedy and other roles which he was marvelous at. the few comedy roles he was allowed to do in his career are superb. his star was brighter then most, but hidden by studio hacks were many of his varied talents.