Los Angeles, 1950s.

Beneath sunny California skies, Americans enjoy a new era of common prosperity, industry, conformity and leisure. The entertainment business is in full swing: studios churn out wholesome fare for the big screen, little screen, and the drive-in. Restaurants and roadside attractions promise families good times around every bend in the road. In Anaheim, a kingdom devoted to the dreams of childhood opens its gates to the delight of millions. However, the brighter the glare, the more startling the shadow. The nocturnal world of Los Angeles conceals a seedier side of life, despite the bright lights and gleaming motorcars that are everywhere.

One of the strangest manifestations is the shadowy Church of Night, led by charismatic high priest Zander LeNoir, a character seemingly from a Charles Addams cartoon. LeNoir’s cult attracts jaded Hollywood types drawn to promises of forbidden wisdom and taboo delights. But is the Church of Night more showbiz than sinister, or the other way around? A Hollywood agent connected with the church has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Investigators must infiltrate the Church of Night; will they drag the truth into the light, or discover shadows lurking within themselves?

Setting

The Investigators are all connected with a medium sized production company called Republic Pictures which has a facility in Studio City and a movie ranch in Encino. Although Republic made most of its films in black and white, it occasionally produced a higher-budgeted film, such as The Red Pony a couple of years back and The Quiet Man just this year, in Technicolor.

The Republic Pictures Studio in Studio City

The Republic Pictures Movie Ranch in Encino