1947
In 1940s Los Angeles, police officer Dwight "Bucky" Bleichert and his partner, Lee Blanchard, become entangled in the brutal murder of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short, dubbed the "Black Dahlia" by the press. As Bucky investigates, he uncovers a web of corruption within the LAPD, including his partner Lee's involvement with criminal elements and his girlfriend Kay Lake's past connections to the underworld. Bucky's investigation leads him to the wealthy and eccentric Sprague family, particularly the alluring Madeleine Sprague, who bears a striking resemblance to Elizabeth Short and draws Bucky into a dangerous affair. The deeper Bucky delves, the more he realizes the murder is tied to a larger conspiracy involving powerful figures, including the Sprague family patriarch and his disturbed wife, Ramona, who ultimately confesses to the murder.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Bucky Bleichert, an LAPD detective, partners with the charismatic Lee Blanchard amid post-war tensions, only to be drawn into the gruesome Black Dahlia murder.
Open full beat sheetDwight 'Bucky' Bleichert is listed as LAPD Officer. A former light-heavyweight boxer turned police officer. In the parsed data, Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert is connected to 71 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
71 scenes / 16 dialogue linesLee Blanchard is listed as LAPD Sergeant. A former heavyweight boxer and Bucky's partner. In the parsed data, Lee Blanchard is connected to 23 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
23 scenes / 8 dialogue linesKay Lake is listed as Lee's girlfriend. An educated woman with a history involving criminal elements. In the parsed data, Kay Lake is connected to 15 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
15 scenes / 6 dialogue linesMadeleine Sprague is listed as Socialite. Daughter of a wealthy real estate tycoon, bears a resemblance to Elizabeth Short. In the parsed data, Madeleine Sprague is connected to 10 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 70.
10 scenes / 1 dialogue linesRuss Millard is listed as Homicide Lieutenant. A seasoned and patient detective. In the parsed data, Russ Millard is connected to 7 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
7 scenes / 6 dialogue linesRamona Sprague is listed as Matriarch of the Sprague family. Wealthy, cynical, and deeply troubled. In the parsed data, Ramona Sprague is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 40.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesFritz Vogel is listed as LAPD Sergeant. A corrupt officer with ties to extortion. In the parsed data, Fritz Vogel is connected to 4 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 42.
4 scenes / 4 dialogue linesElizabeth Short is listed as Murder victim. An aspiring actress whose brutal murder drives the investigation. In the parsed data, Elizabeth Short is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 57.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesEllis Loew is listed as Assistant District Attorney. Ambitious and politically motivated prosecutor. In the parsed data, Ellis Loew is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 4.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesBucky arrives at the Zoot Suit riots and encounters Lee Blanchard.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee BlanchardBucky and Lee fight off marines to arrest a Zoot Suiter.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee BlanchardBucky and Lee drink while holding their prisoner.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee BlanchardBucky is recruited for a charity boxing match against Lee.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee Blanchard, Ellis Loew, Russ MillardBucky meets Kay Lake.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee Blanchard, Kay LakeLee and Bucky confront Bruno Albanese about Maynard Coleman.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee BlanchardLee and Bucky track Maynard Coleman to the Polar Palace.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee BlanchardBucky arrests Maynard Coleman while Lee watches.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee BlanchardLee and Bucky process the arrest while Vogel and Koenig arrive.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee Blanchard, Fritz VogelTension rises between Lee, Bucky, and the corrupt officers Vogel and Koenig.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee Blanchard, Fritz VogelBucky visits Lee and Kay for dinner.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee Blanchard, Kay LakeLoew briefs the team on Raymond 'Junior' Nash.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee Blanchard, Ellis Loew, Russ MillardA violent shootout occurs between Lee, Bucky, and four suspects.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee BlanchardLee and Bucky discover the mutilated body of Elizabeth Short.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee Blanchard, Russ MillardThe coroner details the autopsy of Elizabeth Short.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee Blanchard, Russ MillardLee and Bucky interview Cleo Short, the victim's father.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee BlanchardBucky sits at the kitchen table working on police reports while Kay and Lee are present.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee Blanchard, Kay LakeBucky arrives at work and discusses the Black Dahlia case with Russ Millard.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Russ MillardBucky and Koenig arrive at an apartment house to investigate.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky interviews Sheryl about Elizabeth Short.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky and Koenig drive to the next address.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky interviews Marjorie Graham about Elizabeth Short.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky finds an ID for Lorna Martikova.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky exits the building.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertFlashback to Elizabeth Short's screen test.
Elizabeth ShortBucky fills out reports.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky arrives at Lee and Kay's house.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee Blanchard, Kay LakeBucky drives by the crime scene.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky reviews the case at his desk.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky visits a lesbian bar to investigate.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky continues his investigation at a tropical-themed bar.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Madeleine SpragueBucky follows the woman to her car.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Madeleine SpragueBucky tails the woman to a mansion.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Madeleine SpragueBucky rests and reviews his findings.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky hears a news bulletin about a suspect.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky meets Lee at the station.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee BlanchardBucky arrives at the Sprague mansion for dinner and meets Madeleine's family.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Kay Lake, Madeleine Sprague, Ramona SpragueBucky enters the mansion and sees a stuffed dog.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Kay LakeBucky is introduced to the Sprague family.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Kay Lake, Madeleine Sprague, Ramona SpragueThe family eats dinner while Emmett talks about his past.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Kay Lake, Madeleine Sprague, Ramona SpragueBucky and Madeleine meet at the Red Arrow Inn.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Kay LakeVogel interrogates Bobby DeWitt about his connection to Lee Blanchard while Bucky watches.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee Blanchard, Fritz VogelThe police discover the bodies of Bobby DeWitt and Felix Casco.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Fritz VogelBucky visits Kay, who is struggling with Lee's absence.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Kay LakeBucky reviews the files on Elizabeth Short.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky and Russ cruise skid row while Bucky prepares a hypodermic needle; they spot Johnny Vogel.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee BlanchardBucky confronts and subdues Johnny Vogel.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertRuss and Bucky interrogate a drugged Johnny Vogel about Elizabeth Short and his father Fritzie.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee BlanchardBucky trains aggressively on a heavy bag while Kay watches him.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Kay LakeBucky visits Jane Chambers to discuss the Spragues and his personal life.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky and Jane share a moment in front of a clown painting.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertKay leaves for work while Bucky sleeps.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Kay LakeBucky follows Madeleine to a bar and realizes she is dressed as Elizabeth Short.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Madeleine SpragueBucky is transferred to the Newton Street Division.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky visits Madeleine at the Sprague mansion.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Madeleine SpragueKay leaves Bucky, and Bucky destroys their home.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Kay LakeBucky visits Cleo Short to ask about Elizabeth.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky watches a film and realizes the connection between the porn set and the Spragues.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky and Russ find evidence of Elizabeth Short's murder.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Russ MillardBucky lies in bed thinking about his desire to solve the Black Dahlia case.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Elizabeth ShortBucky reads Gray's Anatomy and reflects on the impossibility of solving the case without exposing his own past.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky processes fingerprint evidence.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky retrieves a fingerprint card for City Employees.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky breaks into the Sprague mansion and confronts Emmett and Madeleine.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Madeleine Sprague, Ramona SpragueBucky visits George Tilden's grave.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky and Russ burn the evidence of the crime.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Lee BlanchardBucky discovers the connection between the Sprague family and the painting.
Dwight 'Bucky' BleichertBucky confronts Ramona, who confesses to her role in the murder.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Ramona SpragueBucky confronts Kay about Lee's involvement and the money.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Kay LakeBucky confronts Madeleine and shoots her in the knee.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Madeleine SpragueBucky reflects on his firing and the aftermath.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Russ MillardBucky burns the Dahlia files.
Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, Kay LakeI stayed with her that night and dreamed of all the bullshit that would never happen. Not if I wanted to keep my job at all. Because there was no way for me to make the arrest without admitting that I'd suppressed evidence years ago. The case would always be open. And so while it killed me to wait 'til morning, in some ways...this was our last night together.
Before this gets out of hand let's put the kibosh on something. If this gets a lot of publicity we're going to get a lot of confessions. So we keep some things quiet. This girl was disemboweled. You keep this information to yourselves. Not your wives, not your girlfriends, no other officers.
He was going to leave no matter what. I didn't know if I was ever going to see him again, and I wanted him to be comfortable if such a thing was possible. Dwight, he knew I was in love with you, and he wanted us to be together.
Tom here's my ninth hard felon of the month. Six weeks he'll be sucking gas. In three years I'll be working Central Warrants. Jewboy Deputy D.A. over there wets his pants for fighters. Promised me the next spot he can wangle.
I'll sing for my supper when Mayor Bowron comes to dinner, but not for Madeleine's male whores. A common policeman. My God, Emmett. How little you think of me.
Bucky Bleichert, meet Senor Tomas Dos Santos, subject of an all-points fugitive warrant for manslaughter committed during the commission of a Class B Felony.
I say let our Mexican colleagues handle their own dirty laundry and we go back to LA and find the son of a bitch who sliced the Dahlia.
Bobby boy I do not like Sergeant Blanchard but he is a fellow officer and I will not have syphilitic scum like you defaming him.
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