Midnight Lace
In London, American heiress Kit Preston (Doris Day) has been married for three months to a British executive, Anthony 'Tony' Preston (Sir Rex Harrison). During a foggy evening while walking across Hyde Park, Kit is threatened by a voice that tells she will be murdered soon. The next day, Kit receives a phone call from the stalker threatening to kill her in the next month. She and her husband go to Scotland Yard, but Inspector Byrnes (John Williams) believes that Kit may be making up the story to get more attention from her husband. Kit's Aunt Bea (Myrna Loy) arrives, but only Kit receives the phone call raising the question: is she losing her mind?
The film earned $7.4M at the global box office.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 5 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Midnight Lace (1960) exemplifies strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of David Miller's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kit Preston walks happily through London fog to meet her wealthy husband Tony. She appears as a carefree American newlywed living an idyllic life in a luxurious Grosvenor Square apartment, representing her initial state of safety and innocence.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Kit hears a menacing male voice in the fog threatening to kill her. She runs in terror through the fog-shrouded park, unable to find the source. This disembodied threat shatters her sense of security.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to After another terrifying phone call with specific threats, Kit decides she must actively protect herself and prove the stalker is real. She commits to documenting the calls and seeking help, entering a world of paranoia and investigation., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Kit nearly falls to her death from a construction scaffold that appears to have been sabotaged. This false defeat proves someone is genuinely trying to kill her, but also leaves her more isolated as Tony grows concerned about her mental state rather than her safety., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kit discovers that Tony has been lying to her about his business and finances. Her trust in her husband—her last anchor—dies. She realizes she is completely alone and the person closest to her may be the one trying to kill her. Her identity as a loved wife collapses., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Kit pieces together the evidence and realizes the full scope of the conspiracy. She understands that she must act decisively to survive and expose the truth. Armed with this clarity, she sets a trap to reveal her would-be killer., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Midnight Lace's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Midnight Lace against these established plot points, we can identify how David Miller utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Midnight Lace within the crime genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kit Preston walks happily through London fog to meet her wealthy husband Tony. She appears as a carefree American newlywed living an idyllic life in a luxurious Grosvenor Square apartment, representing her initial state of safety and innocence.
Theme
Aunt Bea warns Kit about trusting too easily and being vulnerable in a city where she doesn't know anyone. The theme: vulnerability, trust, and the question of whether terror is real or manufactured.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Kit's world: her marriage to Tony Preston, their wealthy lifestyle, the London setting, introduction of supporting characters including Aunt Bea, neighbor Peggy, and workman Daniel. Kit's isolation as an American abroad is emphasized.
Disruption
Kit hears a menacing male voice in the fog threatening to kill her. She runs in terror through the fog-shrouded park, unable to find the source. This disembodied threat shatters her sense of security.
Resistance
Kit struggles to convince others the threat is real. Tony and police are skeptical. She debates whether to take it seriously or dismiss it as a prank. Additional threatening phone calls increase her fear while others suggest she's imagining things or being hysterical.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After another terrifying phone call with specific threats, Kit decides she must actively protect herself and prove the stalker is real. She commits to documenting the calls and seeking help, entering a world of paranoia and investigation.
Mirror World
Brian Younger, Tony's friend and business associate, becomes Kit's confidant and protector. His concern and belief in her fears contrasts with Tony's dismissiveness, representing the supportive relationship that will help her navigate the terror.
Premise
Kit experiences escalating psychological terror through phone calls, near-misses, and mysterious events. The promise of the thriller premise is fulfilled as she attempts to catch the stalker while those around her question her sanity. Suspicion falls on various characters.
Midpoint
Kit nearly falls to her death from a construction scaffold that appears to have been sabotaged. This false defeat proves someone is genuinely trying to kill her, but also leaves her more isolated as Tony grows concerned about her mental state rather than her safety.
Opposition
The walls close in on Kit as she becomes increasingly paranoid and isolated. Tony pressures her to see a psychiatrist. The stalker's calls continue. Financial problems and suspicious behavior from those around her mount. Everyone she trusts becomes suspect.
Collapse
Kit discovers that Tony has been lying to her about his business and finances. Her trust in her husband—her last anchor—dies. She realizes she is completely alone and the person closest to her may be the one trying to kill her. Her identity as a loved wife collapses.
Crisis
Kit processes the betrayal and confronts her darkest fear: that her husband is the stalker and is gaslighting her to steal her inheritance. She is paralyzed with fear and uncertainty, unsure who to trust or where to turn. Her sanity hangs by a thread.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kit pieces together the evidence and realizes the full scope of the conspiracy. She understands that she must act decisively to survive and expose the truth. Armed with this clarity, she sets a trap to reveal her would-be killer.
Synthesis
The finale unfolds as Tony's plot is revealed: he has been orchestrating the terror to drive Kit to suicide so he can inherit her wealth. In a climactic confrontation, Kit fights for her life, Tony is exposed, and the authorities intervene. Justice prevails.
Transformation
Kit stands strong and composed, having survived the ordeal. No longer the naive, trusting woman from the opening, she has transformed into someone who trusts her own instincts and perceptions. The fog has lifted, both literally and metaphorically.