Ladies of Leisure 1926

Marian Forrest Gertrude Short arrives at the residence of Eric Van Norden T. Roy Barnes, a well-known bachelor who shows no interest in marriage. He even heads abroad for six months in hopes that Marian will forget him. After noticing his hat on the sofa, Marian goes into Van Norden’s bedroom to look for him, and she pockets his spare key, setting the stage for a convergence of romance, deception, and danger.

At the Forrests’ estate, a grand party unfolds. While Marian waits for Van Norden, her older brother Jack Forrest Robert Ellis spends time with Marian’s live-in companion Mamie Taylor Elaine Hammerstein. Mamie is startled when she recognizes Eddie Lanigan James Pier Mason, a seasoned conman and her ex-husband. Jack confesses his feelings to Mamie and proposes with his signet ring. She tells Jack that she can only wear the ring as a token of friendship for now before running away. Eddie follows Mamie to her bedroom and threatens her into helping steal from the Forrests. Not wanting Jack to learn about her past, Mamie secretly leaves.

Using the spare key, Marian enters Van Norden’s home before he can hide again. She insists they have tea together before Jack can escort her home, and Van Norden begrudgingly agrees. Meanwhile, Jack hires a private investigator to locate Mamie. It’s revealed that Mamie was tricked by Eddie into a fake marriage after her father was framed for a jewel robbery, a revelation that casts her choices in a harsher light.

After giving most of her money away, Mamie goes to the Brooklyn Bridge to kill herself. Just as she is about to jump, Van Norden spots her from his car and stops her. They don’t recognize each other at first, but Van Norden insists on taking Mamie back to his place. Mamie and Van Norden eat dinner together before she excuses herself to get some sleep. The private investigator phones Jack after seeing the two together, and when Jack races over to Van Norden’s apartment, he finds his ring on the dining table and fears the worst. Then Marian appears wearing Van Norden’s pajamas, explaining that she and Van Norden had married earlier that day. Jack is relieved and offers his congratulations as the two men share a drink, while Marian helps Mamie slip out through the back door.

Still wondering how his ring ended up at Van Norden’s, Marian reassures her brother that Mamie will be waiting at home. Mamie and Jack reunite, but Eddie surprises them with a gun. Eddie insults Mamie, Jack punches him, and the confrontation escalates until Eddie fires, wounding Mamie. The story then moves toward its resolution: Marian and Van Norden marry legally at his apartment, Mamie recovers and accepts Jack’s proposal, and Eddie is imprisoned for his many crimes, though he is allowed to keep his saxophone.