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Plot summary

Alibi Bye Bye (1935) Plot Summary & Timeline

Alibi Bye Bye (1935) movie poster

Alibi Bye Bye is a 1935 comedy film directed by Ben Holmes. This page retells the whole story in 343 words (about 1 minute to read) and covers 12 key events in order, 9 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Alibi Bye Bye.

to read the plot summary
1 min
key events in the timeline
12
characters profiled
9
themes explained
3
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Alibi Bye Bye (1935) movie poster
Released
Director
Ben Holmes
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
No spoilers

What Is Alibi Bye Bye About?

The premise of Alibi Bye Bye in 296 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In the bustling seaside setting of Atlantic City, a peculiar business flourishes by catering to the creatively dishonest. Flash and Blodgett operate a modest photo studio that specializes in “alibi photography”—fabricated tourist snapshots designed to prove a client was somewhere they were not. With improvised backdrops and a flair for the theatrical, their trade offers a professional veneer for wayward spouses and secretive travelers. The tone is strictly lighthearted, built on the charm of a staged lie and the silent understanding that what happens in front of the camera is strictly for show.

The routine workflow of the studio is disrupted when a married couple arrives seeking their services, though they come separately and under false pretenses. Bud Nimrod wants evidence of a moose hunt in Maine, while his wife, Connie Nimrod, requests proof of a trip to Washington, D.C. The photographers, completely oblivious to the fact that their two clients are married to each other, sense an opportunity for mischief and decide to play matchmaker. Their well-intentioned meddling sets the stage for a comic game of cat and mouse, as the unsuspecting spouses find themselves in the same hotel, unaware that their carefully constructed deceptions are about to collide.

As the photographers ply their trade and the hotel fills with mistaken identities, the establishment becomes a labyrinth of comedic close calls. The hotel manager, J.N. Martin, and the sharp-eyed staff detective, Snoops, watch the unfolding antics with growing suspicion, adding to the tension that buzzes through the hallways. With falsified photos changing hands and guilty parties dodging one another just feet apart, the situation spirals into a chaotic farce, proving that maintaining a lie is far more difficult than telling the truth—especially when a team of pranksters and a suspicious staff are watching every move.

Full plot

What Happens in Alibi Bye Bye?

The complete story of Alibi Bye Bye, from the first scene to the last, in 343 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 7 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

In Atlantic City, Flash and Blodgett run a modest studio that specializes in alibi photography—fake tourist shots built with improvised backdrops to provide clients with convincing proof they were somewhere else in the country. Their business thrives on the silly, the sly, and the carefully staged lie, always delivered with a wink and a camera shutter.

One day, a married couple arrives separately seeking these photographic proofs: Bud Nimrod wants evidence of a Maine moose hunt, while Connie Nimrod requests proof of Washington, D.C. The two photographers, unsuspecting that the pair are husband and wife, decide to play matchmaker with a light touch and a mischievous spark, hoping to fuel a more entertaining commission.

Coincidence threads the plot as the man and woman end up with rooms opposite each other in the same hotel, turning a simple assignment into a comic game of cat and mouse. The hotel becomes a pressure cooker of misread signals, sly glances, and back-and-forth photo ops, all while the staff—including the hotel’s manager, J.N. Martin, and the sharp-eyed staff detective, Snoops—begin to suspect that something farcical is brewing behind the closed doors.

As the farce escalates, the husband and wife finally realize the truth behind the photographers’ matchmaking ruse and decide to leave the hotel together, choosing honesty over pretense. Yet the schemers are not ready to give up; the photographers attempt a bold exit by disguising themselves as a moose, hoping to slip away unseen. Their plan sours in a chaotic chase, punctuated by gunfire from the wary hotel manager, turning the hotel into a stage for a zany, over-the-top escape.

Throughout the whirlwind, even the hotel staff members become part of the tangled comedy. The maid Dolly and other staff navigate the comic confusion, adding texture to the chaos as the mistaken identities and improvised schemes collide. The result is a lighthearted, fast-paced romp that stays true to its premise: the lure of a clever alibi, the risk of a silly deception, and the laughter that pours out when plans unravel just enough to feel human.

Timeline

Alibi Bye Bye Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

12 key events in the order they happen, from “Alibi photography studio operates in Atlantic City” to “Final fallout: the plan collapses amid pursuit”. 12 events name a place, across 4 locations.

  1. 1

    Alibi photography studio operates in Atlantic City

    Clark and McCullough run a studio in Atlantic City that provides alibi photographs using fake backdrops. They create convincing images so clients can claim they were somewhere else. The service targets people who need fraudulent travel photos as evidence of their whereabouts.

    Where:Atlantic City, New Jersey

  2. 2

    Married couple arrives seeking alibi photos

    A married man seeks proof of a Maine moose hunt, while a married woman seeks proof of being in Washington, D.C. They arrive separately at the studio, unaware of each other's involvement. The photographers see an opportunity to capitalize on the coincidence by pairing them as a pretend couple for photographs.

    Where:Atlantic City, New Jersey (studio)

  3. 3

    Photographers pair the clients as a pretend couple

    Unaware of the spouses' real marriage, the photographers decide to match them as a couple for the alibi portraits. They coordinate outfits and settings to suggest a shared life and shared travels. The arrangement promises to bolster the credibility of both fake alibis.

    Where:Atlantic City, New Jersey (studio)

  4. 4

    Opposite hotel rooms create a convenient setup

    Inside the same hotel, the man and the woman end up with rooms opposite each other, a coincidence that makes it easier to stage the evolving ruse. The hotel layout allows quick transitions between fake backdrops and real spaces. This setup nudges the scheme toward becoming a tangled web.

    Where:Atlantic City, New Jersey (hotel)

  5. 5

    Staged backdrops for the two alibi trips

    The photographers begin arranging fake travel scenes—depicting a Maine moose hunt and a Washington, D.C. visit—for the couple's portraits. They rely on convincing props and lighting to blur the line between truth and fiction. The couple unknowingly becomes props in an increasingly elaborate deception.

    Where:Atlantic City, New Jersey (hotel/studio setup)

  6. 6

    Hotel staff grow suspicious of the zigzagging

    The hotel manager and a staff detective notice the unusual pattern of room changes and photo sessions that don’t fit normal hotel behavior. They sense something is off as the couple and photographers move between rooms and sets. Tension builds as the ruse strains credulity.

    Where:Atlantic City, New Jersey (hotel)

  7. 7

    The couple discovers the deception and acts

    The husband and wife realize they are being used for the photographers' fraud. They decide to end the arrangement and leave the hotel together, breaking the deceit. Their decision marks a turning point in the mounting tension.

    Where:Atlantic City, New Jersey (hotel)

  8. 8

    Desperate escape attempt: leaving as a moose

    Desperate to salvage the scheme, the photographers attempt to leave the hotel in a disguise as a moose. The bizarre exit draws curious stares from guests as they carry the ridiculous costume through the hallways. The plan relies on the spectacle to mask their flight.

    Where:Atlantic City, New Jersey (hotel)

  9. 9

    Chase and gunfire erupt in the hotel

    The hotel manager pursues the would-be escapees, trying to maintain control of the chaotic scene. Gunfire erupts in the corridors as staff attempt to stop the fleeing duo and their fake entourage. The hotel plunges into a riotous, dangerous carnival of pursuit.

    Where:Atlantic City, New Jersey (hotel)

  10. 10

    Chaos spreads as the pursuit continues

    Guests look on as the chase spirals through the hotel corridors and service areas. The photographers’ scheme begins to crumble under pressure, with the fake alibis being exposed step by step. The night escalates from a private ruse to a public spectacle.

    Where:Atlantic City, New Jersey (hotel)

  11. 11

    The couple leaves the hotel together

    Having seen through the manipulation, the couple exits the hotel arm in arm, choosing to end their involvement in the scheme. Their departure signals the beginning of the downfall for the photographers’ plan. The hotel returns to a fragile calm after the surge of chaos.

    Where:Atlantic City, New Jersey (hotel)

  12. 12

    Final fallout: the plan collapses amid pursuit

    The fraudulent operation collapses under scrutiny as the chase ends in a disordered retreat from the hotel. The ordeal leaves the studio exposed and forces a reckoning with the consequences of deceit. The night closes on a note of chaos rather than a clean resolution.

    Where:Atlantic City, New Jersey (hotel)

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Alibi Bye Bye?

9 characters, among them Snoops (Tom Kennedy), Flash (Bobby Clark) and Blodgett (Paul McCullough): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • S(

    Snoops (Tom Kennedy)

    Played by Tom Kennedy

    The house detective whose sharp instincts set the investigation in motion. He is persistent, suspicious, and the straight man who heightens the farce as clues pile up around the hotel chaos.

    • 🕵️‍♂️ Detective
    • 🏨 Hotel staff
    • 😂 Comic foil
  • F(

    Flash (Bobby Clark)

    Played by Bobby Clark

    A bold alibi photographer who colludes with Blodgett to stage fake backdrops. He thrives on quick schemes and is quick to improvise, even as trouble closes in.

    • 📸 Photographer
    • 💼 Fraud
    • 😂 Comic relief
  • B(

    Blodgett (Paul McCullough)

    Played by Paul McCullough

    Flash’s partner-in-crime, orchestrating the alibis and money-making ruse. Practical and opportunistic, he stays cool under pressure while dodging hotel scrutiny.

    • 🧪 Schemer
    • 🏨 Hotel guest
    • 🃏 Comic antagonist
  • CN

    Connie Nimrod (Constance Bergen)

    Played by Constance Bergen

    A married woman seeking an alibi to cover her travels, drawn into the photographers’ plan. Resourceful and cautious, she navigates the hotel’s chaos while keeping her secret.

    • 👰 Married
    • 🕵️‍♀️ Suspected
    • 😂 Comedic foil
  • BN

    Bud Nimrod (Bud Jamison)

    Played by Bud Jamison

    The husband intent on proving a Maine moose hunt, who unknowingly becomes entangled in the ruse. He is straightforward and suspicious, increasing the tension as the alibis collide with reality.

    • 👨 Married
    • 🕴️ Suspicions
    • 😂 Comic foil
  • JM

    J.N. Martin

    Played by Harrison Greene

    The hotel manager whose authority threads through the plot, directing staff efforts to uncover the ruse. He embodies order amid the hotel’s farcical chaos.

    • 🏨 Manager
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Authority
    • 🎭 Comedy
  • D(

    Dolly (Dorothy Granger)

    Played by Dorothy Granger

    A hotel staff member swept up in the schemes, contributing to the bustling hotel environment that amplifies the comedy.

    • 👗 Hotel staff
    • 🧹 Daily life
    • 😂 Sidekick
  • TM

    The Maid (Doris MacMahon)

    Played by Doris MacMahon

    A hotel worker who witnesses the ruse and helps propel the misunderstandings. Her presence adds to the hotel’s everyday rhythm amid the alibi caper.

    • 🧹 Cleaning staff
    • 🏨 Hotel life
    • 😂 Comic presence
  • DC

    Desk Clerk (Jack Rice)

    Played by Jack Rice

    A hotel employee who notices the zigzag movements of the guests and photographers, contributing to the tension as suspicions rise.

    • 🗂️ Desk staff
    • 🏨 Hotel life
    • 😂 Support
Setting

Where and When Is Alibi Bye Bye Set?

Alibi Bye Bye is set in Atlantic City and New Jersey. Here is why the place matters to the story.

Where

Atlantic City, New Jersey

The story unfolds in Atlantic City, New Jersey, centered around a hotel and a photography studio that peddles fraudulent alibis. The hotel serves as the cramped stage for matchmaking, misdirection, and frantic pursuit. The setting drives the plot as guests and staff become entangled in the photographers’ schemes.

  • 🎭 Alibi schemes
  • 🏨 Hotel setting
  • 🎬 Comedy
Themes

What Are the Themes of Alibi Bye Bye?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Deception, Identity and Comedy of Errors.

  1. 01

    Deception

    The core premise hinges on fake alibis and manipulated photographs, exposing how appearances can disguise truth. The photographers profit from gullibility, while guests chase convincing narratives to cover their tracks. This deception catalyzes the escalating comic tension throughout the hotel.

  2. 02

    Identity

    Characters assume aliases and roles to hide real motives, blurring lines between friend and quarry. The mismatches between facades and reality generate humorous misunderstandings. The pursuit of authentic identity underpins the chaotic hotel atmosphere.

  3. 03

    Comedy of Errors

    Mistaken alibis and a runaway chase through hallways and rooms create a series of farcical set-pieces. The would-be criminals are continually outwitted by suspicion and circumstance, culminating in a chaotic escape attempt. Visual gags, disguises, and rapid exchanges drive the humor.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Alibi Bye Bye?

Light in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Light
Pacing
Fast
Story
Moderate
Intensity
Low
Ending
Happy

A fast-paced, silly slapstick comedy that unfolds like a frantic game of cat-and-mouse in a hotel, characterized by playful deceptions and absurd physical gags.

  • silly
  • slapstick
  • frantic
  • playful
  • chaotic
  • mischievous
  • marital infidelity
  • mistaken identity
  • physical comedy
  • farce

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Read next

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3 films close to Alibi Bye Bye in story and themes that have a full plot summary here: Alibi.com 2 (2023), Going Bye-Bye! (1934) and By Your Leave (1934).

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FAQ

Alibi Bye Bye Plot Questions

5 quick answers about Alibi Bye Bye, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is Alibi Bye Bye about?

In the bustling seaside setting of Atlantic City, a peculiar business flourishes by catering to the creatively dishonest. Flash and Blodgett operate a modest photo studio that specializes in "alibi photography"—fabricated tourist snapshots designed to prove a client was somewhere they were not.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Alibi Bye Bye take place?

Alibi Bye Bye is set in Atlantic City and New Jersey. The story unfolds in Atlantic City, New Jersey, centered around a hotel and a photography studio that peddles fraudulent alibis. The hotel serves as the cramped stage for matchmaking, misdirection, and frantic pursuit.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Alibi Bye Bye?

The story follows Snoops (Tom Kennedy) (played by Tom Kennedy), Flash (Bobby Clark) (played by Bobby Clark), Blodgett (Paul McCullough) (played by Paul McCullough) and Connie Nimrod (Constance Bergen) (played by Constance Bergen); the character guide covers 9 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Alibi Bye Bye?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Deception, Identity and Comedy of Errors.

The themes explained

Who directed Alibi Bye Bye?

Alibi Bye Bye (1935) was directed by Ben Holmes.

Ben Holmes’s films

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