What Is Evenings for Sale About?
The premise of Evenings for Sale in 240 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
On the precipice of financial ruin, Count von Dopenthal stands at a crossroads where dignity and desperation intersect. The fading grandeur of Austrian aristocracy frames his predicament — a world where noble titles no longer guarantee security, and old money has given way to unforgiving new realities. With his debts mounting and his options exhausted, the count contemplates a final, irrevocable decision, choosing to spend what he believes will be his last night immersed in the glittering escapism of a costume ball.
It is there, amid swirling masks and borrowed gaiety, that he encounters Lela Fischer, whose warmth and sincerity kindle an unexpected connection. For a man resigned to ending his story, her presence introduces a fragile spark of possibility — a reminder that even in the darkest hour, chance encounters can alter the trajectory of a life. Yet hope, as the count soon discovers, carries its own burdens, arriving hand-in-hand with choices that challenge everything he once believed about honor and survival.
When an unexpected figure from his past reemerges, the count is presented with a surprising proposition that would have been unthinkable in his former life. His one-time butler offers him an unusual opportunity — one that blurs the lines between service and pride, forcing him to reconsider what he is willing to sacrifice. As he weighs his options, the count must navigate a path shaped by love, circumstance, and the unspoken rules of a society in transition.
What Happens in Evenings for Sale?
The complete story of Evenings for Sale, from the first scene to the last, in 331 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
On the eve of financial ruin, the impoverished Count von Degenthal, played by Herbert Marshall, contemplates suicide and spends his last night at a glittering costume ball. The ballroom becomes a quiet stage for chance encounters and unspoken longing, where he meets the enchanting Lela Fischer, played by Sari Maritza. Her warmth and sincerity spark a romance that offers him a fragile glimmer of hope, even as his circumstances remain precarious.
A surprising twist arrives when the count’s former butler, Bimpfl, played by Bimpfl, presents an unexpected opportunity: a gigolo job in a bustling dance club. He accepts, and soon the count shares a dance with Jenny Kent, played by Mary Boland, a wealthy American heiress who is quickly captivated. So taken with him is she that she purchases his castle, clearing all of his debts. In a gesture of gratitude, the count gives her his family’s treasured ring, a symbol of his past and his gratitude for her generosity.
Tensions rise when Lela visits the mansion and overhears Bimpfl deceiving her into believing that the supposed engagement is the count’s way of signaling marriage. The deception is a ploy to win a position in their household, and Lela believes it as well. Meanwhile, Kent learns from America that she has become a grandmother, a revelation that makes her realize she may have been pursuing a much younger man for reasons of vanity or romance. She decides to return to the United States, telling Bimpfl of her plan to turn the mansion into an hôtel, a move that would shape the estate’s future.
Back home, the misunderstandings begin to clear up. Lela’s confidence in her own judgment is restored, and she and the count work toward reconciliation. The story unfolds with a steady, neutral tone as both characters navigate love, money, and social expectations, ultimately choosing a path of mutual understanding rather than pride. In the end, the couple finds common ground, and the relationship endures beyond misperceptions and class barriers.
Evenings for Sale Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Count's despair at the costume ball” to “Reconciliation”. 12 events name a place, across 3 locations.
- 1
Count's despair at the costume ball
The impoverished Count von Degenthal resolves to commit suicide and spends his last night at a lavish costume ball. The mood is decadent and despairing as the decorations glare down on him. This night frames his vulnerability and the chance for change.
When:Night of the costume ball Where:Castle ballroom
- 2
A fateful meeting with Lela
During the ball, he meets Lela Fischer, a lovely guest who quickly captures his attention. They exchange smiles and hopeful words, hinting at a possible future together. The encounter sets the romance in motion.
When:During the ball Where:Castle ballroom
- 3
Butler's gigolo offer
A chance meeting with his former butler leads to an unexpected job offer: become a gigolo at a dance club. The proposal clashes with his dignity, yet it promises a way out of debt and obscurity. He must choose between pride and possibility.
When:After the ball Where:Town
- 4
Dancing with Jenny Kent
He dances with Jenny Kent, a wealthy American heiress, and she becomes enchanted with him. Her fascination grows into affection, shifting the balance of his fortunes. The moment foreshadows a dramatic change in his status.
When:During the ball Where:Castle ballroom
- 5
Castle sale and debt cleared
Jenny Kent buys the count's castle and clears all his debts as a show of trust and sincerity. The purchase instantly lifts him from poverty to a position of wealth and influence. The castle transfer marks a turning point in his life.
When:Immediately after the ball Where:Castle
- 6
The ring as token
In gratitude, the count gives Jenny his family's treasured ring. The exchange binds their fates and signals the expanding stakes of their entanglement. It also carries the weight of tradition and memory.
When:Shortly after the castle purchase Where:Castle
- 7
Lela plans a visit
Lela decides to visit the count, hoping to understand his true feelings. She anticipates a future together, but the plan is fragile and clouded by rumor. The visit deepens the central misunderstanding.
When:After the ring gesture Where:Castle
- 8
Bimpfl's deception
Bimpfl deceives Lela by making her believe that the count's gesture expresses their engagement. He does so to secure a serving position in the household. Lela accepts the rumor, allowing misinterpretation to grow.
When:During Lela's visit Where:Castle
- 9
Lela's mounting belief
Lela's belief in the engagement hardens as the truth remains hidden. Her emotions become tangled by the deception and her affection for the count. The misunderstanding threatens to derail their relationship.
When:Following Bimpfl's deception Where:Castle
- 10
America-bound revelation
Kent receives news from America that she has become a grandmother, which opens her eyes to the folly of pursuing a much younger man. The revelation prompts a reevaluation of her choices. She decides to return to America, even as she hints at turning the mansion into a hotel.
When:After the America news Where:Castle
- 11
Lela's misunderstanding cleared
Lela's misunderstanding is cleared up, and she learns the count's actions were not meant as an engagement. The truth begins to set things right between them. They start to see a possible future together.
When:After the truth is revealed Where:Castle
- 12
Reconciliation
Ultimately, the count and Lela reconcile, reaffirming their feelings and choosing a path forward that blends affection with clarity about each other's worlds. The ending leaves them ready to face the future together.
When:Ending Where:Castle
Who Are the Main Characters in Evenings for Sale?
4 characters, among them Count Franz von Degenthal (Herbert Marshall), Lela Fischer (Sari Maritza) and Jenny Kent (Mary Boland): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- CF
Count Franz von Degenthal (Herbert Marshall)
Played by Herbert Marshall
An impoverished aristocrat who contemplates suicide, he finds a renewed sense of life after meeting Lela at the costume ball. He is passionate, generous (giving his ring to Jenny in gratitude), and navigates debt and social expectations as he pursues love. His vulnerability makes his romantic arc central to the film.
- 👑 Aristocrat
- 💔 Despair
- 💖 Romantic
- LF
Lela Fischer (Sari Maritza)
Played by Sari Maritza
A social visitor who becomes entangled with the Count’s romance, she embodies sincerity and warmth. Her trust is tested when she overhears Bimpfl’s deception and misinterprets the Count’s intentions, triggering emotional conflict. She ultimately reconciles with the Count after the mistreatment is clarified.
- 💎 Heiress
- ❤️ Romantic
- 🤔 Misunderstanding
- JK
Jenny Kent (Mary Boland)
Played by Mary Boland
A wealthy American heiress who buys the castle, clearing the Count’s debts with her fortune. Her generosity transforms the estate into a hôtel and spurs romance with the Count, though she learns of life changes like becoming a grandmother in America. She drives the plot with decisive action and financial influence.
- 💎 Heiress
- 💖 Generous
- 🏛️ Power of money
-
Bimpfl (Charles Ruggles)
Played by Charles Ruggles
The former butler turn gigolo who schemes to secure a position by deceiving others, exploiting Lela’s trust and the Count’s vulnerability. His manipulation reveals a ruthless ambition masked by charm, driving the misunderstanding and conflict.
- 🕵️ Deception
- 💼 Ambition
- 💔 Betrayal
Where and When Is Evenings for Sale Set?
Evenings for Sale is set in Castle, Ballroom, Dance club and Mansion turned hôtel. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The film centers on aristocratic society and wealth, with social calendars built around formal gatherings like balls and fashionable nightlife. The exact year isn’t specified, but the décor and manners underscore a historical backdrop of privilege and reputation.
Where
Castle, Ballroom, Dance club, Mansion turned hôtel
A European castle hosts a lavish costume ball that sets the romance in motion. The glamorous ballroom and nearby dance club serve as social hubs where wealth and desire collide. After Jenny purchases the castle, the mansion is repurposed into an hôtel, tying the locations to both romance and money.
- 🏰 Castle
- 🎭 Ball
- 🏨 Hotel
- 🏛️ Mansion
What Are the Themes of Evenings for Sale?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love vs Money, Deception and Reconciliation.
-
01
Love vs Money
A romance threads through financial desperation and social maneuvering. Jenny’s wealth can reshape a life, as she buys the castle and frees the Count from debt, testing the purity of affection. The film probes whether love can survive material interests and whether sincerity wins over showy wealth.
-
02
Deception
Bimpfl’s scheming creates misunderstandings that threaten relationships. The Count’s intentions are misread, and Lela’s trust becomes entangled with illusions about engagements. The plot hinges on how truth surfaces and how characters navigate manipulation.
-
03
Reconciliation
Despite deceit and social pressures, the characters mend their bonds. The Count and Lela’s romance endures misunderstandings, and Jenny’s generosity eventually leads to a hopeful union. The conclusion emphasizes the healing power of honest affection.
What Kind of Film Is Evenings for Sale?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Low
- Ending
- Happy
A charming and light-hearted romantic comedy that navigates financial woes and social misunderstandings with whimsical turns of fortune, culminating in a satisfying reconciliation.
- romantic
- whimsical
- mischievous
- light-hearted
- optimistic
- charming
- social class
- misunderstanding
- romantic entanglement
- financial desperation
Content notes: suicidal ideation.
