Key to the City 1950

At a mayoral convention in San Francisco, ex‑longshoreman Steve Fisk, mayor of Puget City, meets Clarissa Standish, mayor of Winona, Maine. Fisk flaunts his rugged, blue‑collar past while Standish touts her education and dedication to voters. Their opposite natures spark a romance, and the antics land them in trouble at home. by Ron Kerrigan.

At a mayoral convention in San Francisco, ex‑longshoreman Steve Fisk, mayor of Puget City, meets Clarissa Standish, mayor of Winona, Maine. Fisk flaunts his rugged, blue‑collar past while Standish touts her education and dedication to voters. Their opposite natures spark a romance, and the antics land them in trouble at home. by Ron Kerrigan.

Does Key to the City have end credit scenes?

No!

Key to the City does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Key to the City

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Read the complete plot summary of Key to the City, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


At a convention in San Francisco, Steve Fisk, Clark Gable, the mayor of Puget City, mistakes Clarissa Standish, Loretta Young, the mayor of Wenonah, Maine, for a balloon dancer he was expecting, and the spark between them is undeniable despite his doubts about a former longshoreman dating a much more refined woman. He is irresistibly drawn to her, yet he must keep an eye on the crooked councilman Les Taggart, Raymond Burr, who would eagerly weaponize any scandal to damage Steve back home in Puget City.

In a string of comic misadventures, Steve’s misread signals land Clarissa in trouble twice: first after a brawl in a Chinatown restaurant, then again on the way to a costume party. A photograph taken during one of these moments paints Clarissa as if she were at the police station for public drunkenness, complicating her image further. Her uncle, Judge Silas Standish, Lewis Stone, is amused and pleased to see Clarissa perhaps finally shedding some of her prim exterior, even as the public spectacle threatens to derail their budding romance.

The misinterpretations deepen when the balloon dancer Sheila, Marilyn Maxwell, appears, leading Clarissa to wrongly conclude that Steve wants to see her. Clarissa’s anger grows when Steve suddenly disappears, not knowing that he’s hurried home to advocate for a hastily called council vote. On the personal front, Steve’s hopes remain fixed: he wants to marry Clarissa and present her with the key to his city, aiming to bridge their different worlds through a union that could redefine the future of Puget City.

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Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Key to the City

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Key to the City. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Key to the City (Original Theatrical Trailer)

Key to the City Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


scene during opening creditsbased on storymayor's officepolitical dramacross cultural relationshipopposites attractcomedy of errorswhirlwind romanceconventionclass distinctionsmall town mayorpacking a suitcasesan francisco californiabubble dancerburlesque bitcity councilcostume partyfire chieffistfightirish americanlongshoremanpolice chiefnightclubpolice raidnightclub brawlchinatown san franciscocoit tower san franciscouncle niece relationshipreference to mainecrooked city councilmanpolice sergeantgraftadult posing as a childcorrupting a minorworking class backgroundsecret votepork barrel fundingtrain stationceremonial keyhotel desk clerkfemale mayorvendortelevision setadult playing a minormistaken identitypolitical aspirationharvard graduatequoting henry wadsworth longfellownightclub showtraditional sex role stereotypes

Key to the City Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Key to the City across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


La chiave della città Ein charmanter Flegel Ключ от города La dama dijo que no 风流冤家 Las llaves de la ciudad Mulher A Quanto Obrigas Styv i korken

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