Every Girl Should Be Married 1948

Anabel vows to pursue Madison

Department store salesclerk Anabel Sims becomes obsessed with the idea of marrying Dr. Madison Brown after he asks for her help with a purchase. She resolves to scheme her way into his life by learning everything about him and tailoring her approach to win him over.

Anabel researches Madison

She digs into his life—where he went to school, his favorite foods, and daily habits—arming herself with information to secure his hand. The pursuit becomes a calculated plan rather than a simple crush.

Madison resists Anabel's pursuit

Madison realizes Anabel's true intentions and tries to fend her off. He makes it clear that he will not be manipulated into marriage.

Restaurant ruse to spark jealousy

Anabel reserves a restaurant table on a day Madison habitually dines there to spark jealousy. She pretends to be meeting wealthy, three-times-married Roger Sanford, who is her employer and Madison's university classmate.

Roger buys the ruse, but reservations linger

Roger Sanford arrives and buys into the ruse, thinking Anabel is using Madison as a lure to get acquainted with him. The plan seems to work at first, but it ultimately fails because Madison's feelings for Anabel do not change. Roger's belief about the setup becomes more complicated as the evening unfolds.

Roger falls in love and proposes

Despite the failed manipulation, Roger genuinely falls in love with Anabel. He eventually asks her to marry him, hoping to secure a future together.

Dinner invitation to Roger

Anabel invites Roger to dinner at her home to continue the relationship. The invitation signals a more intimate step in their evolving dynamic.

Julie warns Madison

Anabel's best friend Julie warns Madison about Roger's history with women. The warning unsettles Madison, who grows worried and decides to attend the dinner to keep an eye on things.

Madison crashes the dinner

Madison arrives at Anabel's dinner uninvited to monitor the situation and protect his own interests. He steels himself as the social maneuvering intensifies.

Old Joe interrupts the evening

During the dinner, Old Joe, Anabel's longtime hometown beau, unexpectedly arrives and announces that he and Anabel are finally going to get married. Madison initially congratulates them, trying to play along.

The voice reveals the deception

After Old Joe leaves, Madison informs Anabel that her research on him was incomplete. He recognizes Joe's voice as the radio performer he listens to frequently, exposing the ruse and forcing a reckoning.

Madison makes his own move

Reeling from the revelation, Madison decides to press his own claim on Anabel, challenging the engagement with Old Joe and making his love explicit. He confronts Anabel about their future and asserts his feelings.