The Affairs of Martha (1942): Cast & Plot
The Affairs of Martha is a 1942 romantic comedy directed by Jules Dassin, starring Marsha Hunt as Martha Lindstrom, Spring Byington and Melville Cooper. It runs 1 hour 6 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 6m (66 min)
- Director
- Jules Dassin
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Affairs of Martha About?
The premise of The Affairs of Martha without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
It happens on the maid’s night out! Members of a well-to-do small community become worried when it is revealed that one of their maids is writing a telling exposé.
The Affairs of Martha Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- screwball comedy
- police officer
- women's club
- new york city
- conga line
- wealth
- female author
- couple walks on a beach
- title co written by female
- long island new york
- based on story
- cross cultural marriage
+38 more Show fewer
- love across social classes
- opposites attract
- domestic comedy
- gossip column
- tattletale
- housemaid
- community meeting
- tell all book
- anthropologist
- fiance fiance relationship
- household servant
- female mathematician
- female writer
- book publisher
- night school
- handyman
- hasty marriage
- love triangle
- jealousy
- black eye
- false accusaton of blackmail
- engagement party
- class distinction
- family relationships
- libel
- nightclub
- dinner party
- damaged reputation
- suburban life
- unrequited love
- drunken wedding
- manipulative woman
- fistfight
- broken glasses
- kidnapping
- ends with a kiss
- true confessions the magazine
- man puts a woman to bed
The Affairs of Martha Cast & Characters
Marsha Hunt leads the cast as Martha Lindstrom, with Spring Byington as Sophia Sommerfield and Melville Cooper as Dr. Clarence Sommerfield. Directed by Jules Dassin; 37 actors are credited in all.
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Director Jules Dassin
- Marsha Hunt as Martha Lindstrom
-
Spring Byington as Sophia Sommerfield -
Melville Cooper as Dr. Clarence Sommerfield - Virginia Weidler as Miranda Sommerfield
Also Starring in The Affairs of Martha
· 33 more- Allyn Joslyn Joel Archer
- Sara Haden Mrs. Justin I. Peacock
- Marjorie Main Mrs. McKissick
- Cecil Cunningham Mrs. Llewellyn Castle
- Inez Cooper Mrs. Jacell
- Richard Carlson Jeff Sommerfield
- Frances Drake Sylvia Norwood
- Barry Nelson Danny O'Brien
- William B. Davidson Homer Jacell
- Margaret Hamilton Guinevere
- Edgar Dearing Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)
- Raymond Hatton Patrolling Beach Cleaner (uncredited)
- William Tannen Mechanic (uncredited)
- Grady Sutton Justin Peacock Jr.
- Dave Willock Milkman (uncredited)
- Leonard Carey The Butler (uncredited)
Show all 37 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Jody Gilbert Hadwig (uncredited)
- Aubrey Mather Justin I. Peacock
- Ernest Truex Llewellyn Castle
- Buddy Messinger Butcher Boy (uncredited)
- Ralph Volkie Garbageman (uncredited)
- Virginia Farmer Minor Role (uncredited)
- Robin Raymond Juanita (uncredited)
- Arthur Belasco Gardener (uncredited)
- Ralph McCullough Postman (uncredited)
- Norman Abbott Newsboy (uncredited)
- Leigh De Lacey Charwoman (uncredited)
- Mae Roberts One of Castle's Daughters (uncredited)
- Thomas Clarke Baritone on the Radio (uncredited)
- Gil Patric Baker (uncredited)
- Gloria Gaye One of Castle's Daughters (uncredited)
- Antoinette Haezert English Maid (uncredited)
- Virginia Tallent One of Castle's Daughters (uncredited)
More from Jules Dassin
More films directed by Jules Dassin, best-rated first: The Naked City, Brute Force, The Law and Night and the City (re-release).
The Affairs of Martha Plot Summary
What happens in The Affairs of Martha from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the polished enclave of Rock Bay on Long Island, the quiet routines of the neighborhood are upended when a simple newspaper tidbit hints that one of the maids is secretly writing a tell-all book about her employers. That single line of gossip rattles the lives of the Sommerfields and their neighbors, casting a spotlight on secrets, social boundaries, and the delicate balance between appearances and reality. The peace of this exclusive community is tested as each family weighs what the world might learn when the author is finally revealed.
Full summary
The whole story of The Affairs of Martha, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Affairs of Martha?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which character is the young maid secretly writing a tell‑all book about her employers?
The Affairs of Martha Also Known As
2 alternative titles: “Once Upon a Thursday” and “Sua Criada Obrigada”.
- Also known as
-
- Once Upon a Thursday
- Sua Criada Obrigada
Seen The Affairs of Martha?
Movies Like The Affairs of Martha
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Affairs of Susan, The Affairs of Anatol and The Wild Affair.
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The Affairs of Susan 1945 -
The Affairs of Anatol 1921 -
The Wild Affair 1965 -
Marry the Girl 1937 -
The Misadventures of Margaret 1998 -
Bachelor’s Affairs 1932 -
Married to It 1991 -
Affair with a Stranger 1953 -
How to Marry a Millionaire 1953 -
Affectionately Yours 1941 -
Comedy of Marriage 1994 -
The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker 1971
The Affairs of Martha FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Affairs of Martha, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Affairs of Martha?
The Affairs of Martha runs 1 hour 6 minutes (66 minutes).
When was The Affairs of Martha released?
The Affairs of Martha was released on June 21, 1942.
Who directed The Affairs of Martha?
The Affairs of Martha was directed by Jules Dassin.
More films by Jules Dassin Who is in the cast of The Affairs of Martha?
The Affairs of Martha stars Marsha Hunt as Martha Lindstrom, Spring Byington as Sophia Sommerfield and Melville Cooper as Dr. Clarence Sommerfield, among 37 credited actors.
Does The Affairs of Martha have a post-credit scene?
No. The Affairs of Martha has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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