What Is Girls About Town About?
The premise of Girls About Town in 316 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the glittering heart of Manhattan, two women glide through upscale soirées wrapped in silk and ermine, their presence a polished blend of glamour and strategy. Wanda Howard exudes a poised elegance, while Marie Bailey offers sharp wit that turns every interaction into a performance. Together they have fashioned a niche where high‑society charm is offered for a price, catering to out‑of‑town businessmen who seek more than a simple introduction—an indulgent, fabricated romance that smooths the edges of their corporate ambitions.
Their world is one of carefully staged encounters, each scene choreographed to appeal to the expectations of a clientele unaccustomed to the rawness of ordinary life. The duo’s repartee is as polished as the cufflinks on their patrons’ wrists, and their ability to slip into roles—friend, confidante, lover—creates a delicate balance between genuine feeling and the profit‑driven entertainment they provide. The atmosphere hums with a sophisticated tension, where the line between authentic affection and theatrical service blurs beneath the glitter of Manhattan’s elite circles.
Among the men who drift into their orbit is the shrewd Jerry Chase, a businessman intent on using the sisters’ allure to secure a crucial deal. Equally intriguing is the charismatic Jim Baker, a dashing associate who, despite recognizing the transactional nature of the arrangements, finds himself drawn to the deeper layers beneath Wanda’s polished exterior. Benjamin Thomas, another affluent visitor, adds to the tapestry of desire and ambition, each interaction hinting at the possibility of something more sincere beneath the surface veneer.
The film’s tone is a sumptuous mix of romance and satire, bathing the audience in the opulence of 1930s high society while subtly questioning the cost of appearances. As Wanda and Marie navigate the glittering yet precarious world they have built, the story teases the yearning for authentic connection that lingers behind every whispered promise, inviting viewers to wonder whether love can truly flourish amid such calculated charm.
What Happens in Girls About Town?
The complete story of Girls About Town, from the first scene to the last, in 566 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Two glamorous women, Wanda Howard Kay Francis and Marie Bailey Lilyan Tashman, move through a world of high society and transactional relationships, sharing a luxurious apartment and planning their next move. They accompany two balding, middle‑aged businessmen from out of town—each pitched as a potential mark at a price of $500 apiece—to help Jerry Chase [Alan Dinehart] close a deal, a scheme that rests on discretion and appearances. To avoid inviting the men upstairs, the women enlist their African American maid Hattie Louise Beavers to disguise herself as their mother and wait at the window, a ruse that underscores the precarious balance between ambition and ethics in their lives.
Wanda is weary of this life, and yet her fortunes take a turn when she and Marie board a yacht the following night to lure Benjamin Thomas [Eugene Pallette] and his dashing business associate Jim Baker [Joel McCrea]. Jim, who knows the women are hired entertainment, is nevertheless drawn to Wanda, and a genuine connection begins to form between them, sparking a contradiction between the truth of their feelings and the profit-driven origins of their relationship. When Jerry pays Wanda for her part in the scheme, she tears up the check, signaling a tilt toward something more authentic than the money that has shaped her reality. As Jim comes to see that Wanda’s affection is real, he asks her to marry him, and she agrees—with one caveat: her estranged husband, Alex Howard [Anderson Lawler], remains a complication she cannot simply erase. Wanda asks Jim for a divorce, and Alex quietly consents.
Meanwhile, the tangled web widens as Benjamin’s wife—Mrs. Daisy Thomas [Lucile Gleason]—strings into the story, a divorce brewing because of Thomas’s stingy ways. Marie orchestrates a scene at a jewelry store where Mrs. Thomas can publicly vent about her husband’s thrift; moved by the display, Benjamin impulsively buys Marie lavish merchandise, a purchase valued at around $50,000, deepening the emotional stakes and testing loyalties across the board. The party atmosphere shifts when Alex crashes the birthday celebration Marie has arranged for Benjamin, pressing Jim with an ultimatum: $10,000 or he will name Jim as the co‑respondent in the divorce. He also insinuates that Wanda is part of the blackmail scheme, and Jim, swayed by that lie, ends the engagement.
Seeking to protect her position and the truth, Wanda travels to Brooklyn to confront Alex. He introduces her, in disguise as a cousin, to the ailing Mrs. Howard and their baby—Edna Howard Lucile Browne—explaining why the money matters so much. He confesses that he already secured a Mexican divorce years earlier and promises to repay once he’s back on his feet. Touched by the revelation, Wanda decides against pressing the issue and leaves without the money.
In a bid to do right, Wanda auctions off a portion of her possessions to raise $10,000 and also returns the jewelry she had received. She hands Jim the proceeds, and almost at once, Jim has a change of heart as the emotional truth of their connection comes to the fore. The couple reconciles, choosing love over the precarious calculus that defined their earlier actions. In a parallel arc, Marie returns Benjamin’s gifts to his wife and helps in reuniting the couple, sealing a final gesture of reconciliation that echoes the film’s broader message: money can shape appearances, but genuine affection has the power to restore what had seemed irretrievably broken.
Girls About Town Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Deception starts at the luxury apartment” to “A hopeful ending for Wanda and Jim”. 12 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Deception starts at the luxury apartment
Wanda and Marie recruit two balding, middle‑aged businessmen to pose as escorts to help Jerry Chase close a sale, while their maid Hattie disguises herself as their mother to avoid inviting the men inside. The setup unfolds inside a lavish apartment building as they prepare to entertain the wealthy clients. The plan hinges on keeping the visitors at bay to maintain the ruse.
When:Evening Where:Luxurious apartment building
- 2
Jerry pays for the entertainment; Wanda tears up the check
The ruse pays off when Jerry Chase compensates the women for their services. Wanda receives the payment and, signaling a shift from transactional to personal, tears up the check. The moment marks a turning point toward romance rather than business.
When:Same night Where:City
- 3
Yacht night with Benjamin and Jim
On the next night, Wanda and Marie board a yacht to distract Benjamin Thomas and his partner Jim Baker. Jim knows the women are paid entertainment, yet he gradually falls for Wanda as the evening progresses. The encounter plants the seed for real affection.
When:Night Where:On a yacht
- 4
Engagement plans and a divorce complication
Jim asks Wanda to marry him after realizing her genuine feelings. Wanda agrees, but she reveals a complication: her estranged husband Alex remains a factor. She asks Jim for a divorce, and he agrees to pursue it to be with her.
When:Night Where:Onboard the yacht
- 5
Benjamin’s wife surfaces and the plan to reform him
Marie discovers Mrs. Thomas intends to stop the stingy pattern, and orchestrates a public scene to reveal Benjamin’s thriftiness. They lure him to a jewelry store where Mrs. Thomas loudly complains about his cheapness, prompting Benjamin to buy expensive jewelry worth about $50,000.
When:Next day Where:Jewelry store
- 6
Alex crashes the birthday party
That night, Alex crashes the birthday party Marie has arranged for Benjamin. He tells Jim that he must pay $10,000 or risk being named as a co‑respondent in the divorce. He insinuates Wanda is part of a blackmail scheme, causing Jim to break up with Wanda on the spot.
When:Night Where:Birthday party venue
- 7
Wanda confronts Alex in Brooklyn
Wanda travels to Brooklyn to demand the money back from Alex. He introduces her to the ailing Mrs. Howard and their baby as reasons he needs funds, and confesses he had a divorce in Mexico; he promises to repay once he’s back on his feet. Wanda leaves without the check, moved but still apart from him.
When:Evening Where:Brooklyn
- 8
Raising funds and reclaiming jewelry
Wanda decides to auction off possessions to raise $10,000 and asks Marie to return her jewelry, aiming to salvage her finances and repay Jim. The plan shifts from deception to legitimate fundraising, with friends helping her piece by piece.
When:Soon after Where:Wanda's apartment
- 9
Wanda hands Jim the proceeds
Wanda gathers the sale proceeds and presents them to Jim, showing her commitment to make amends. Jim has begun to come to his senses and starts re-evaluating his feelings for Wanda.
When:Shortly after the auction Where:Somewhere they meet
- 10
The reconciliation solidifies
The couple reconcile their relationship as the misunderstandings fade. The gesture of returning the money helps restore trust, and the couple resumes their plans to be together.
When:Ending Where:City
- 11
Marie restores the couple's happiness
Marie returns Benjamin’s gifts to his wife, clearing the way for the other couple to remain united. The Thomas marriage is repaired and the earlier schemes are resolved through honest actions and reconciliation.
When:Ending Where:Benjamin's home
- 12
A hopeful ending for Wanda and Jim
With the complications resolved, Wanda and Jim move toward a future together. The story closes on a note of renewed romance and a more honest life away from the initial paid arrangements.
When:End Where:New York City area
Who Are the Main Characters in Girls About Town?
8 characters, among them Wanda Howard (Kay Francis), Marie Bailey (Lilyan Tashman) and Jim Baker (Joel McCrea): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- WH
Wanda Howard (Kay Francis)
Played by Kay Francis
A glamorous Manhattan socialite who earns income as paid entertainment for wealthy men. She longs for a genuine, money-free romance while navigating the limits of her social world, showing strength when faced with financial and romantic uncertainty. Her decisions drive the balance between independence and love, ultimately choosing honesty with Jim.
- 💖 Romance
- 🎭 Glamour
- 💼 Ambition
- MB
Marie Bailey (Lilyan Tashman)
Played by Lilyan Tashman
A sharp, social-savvy ally who helps orchestrate plans to influence wealthy men and reform relationships. She uses wit and strategy to manipulate situations for her friends' benefit, while staying loyal to Wanda. Her schemes reveal how social intelligence can navigate a world built on appearances.
- 🧠 Strategy
- 💃 Socialite
- 🧭 Tactics
-
Jim Baker (Joel McCrea)
Played by Joel McCrea
A handsome business associate who pretends to doubt the arrangement but falls for Wanda's sincerity. He struggles with the deception around their relationship and ultimately chooses genuine love, reconciling with Wanda. His practical nature contrasts with the glamour around him, highlighting the power of honesty.
- 💑 Love
- 🤝 Trust
- 💼 Professional
- BT
Benjamin Thomas (Eugene Pallette)
Played by Eugene Pallette
A wealthy, stingy husband whose wife tries to reform his frugality through social pressure. He becomes entangled in the plot and responds to flirtation and manipulation with a mix of pride and vulnerability. His arc shows how money and status influence marriages and choices.
- 💰 Wealth
- 🎭 Comedy
- 💬 Dialogue
- AH
Alex Howard (Anderson Lawler)
Played by Anderson Lawler
Wanda's estranged husband who leverages their divorce to demand money, weaving lies about Wanda's involvement in the scheme. His opportunism creates tension and tests Wanda and Jim's relationship. He embodies the darker, unscrupulous side of romantic and financial maneuvering.
- 💔 Divorce
- 🗝️ Manipulation
- 🧭 Deception
- JC
Jerry Chase (Alan Dinehart)
Played by Alan Dinehart
A middleman who profits from the arrangement and pushes the sale toward closing. He embodies the transactional nature of the setup, serving as a foil to the genuine romance blossoming between Wanda and Jim. His actions propel the plot through money-driven schemes.
- 💰 Money
- 🗣️ Negotiation
- 🧩 Plot device
- H(
Hattie (Louise Beavers)
Played by Louise Beavers
The Howard family's maid who disguises herself as their mother to help execute a deception. Her role is pivotal to the plan's success, revealing the lengths to which the main characters will go to protect their arrangements. She adds a comedic and practical touch to the scheme.
- 🧵 Disguise
- 🤫 Secret
- 👒 Role
- MD
Mrs. Daisy Thomas (Lucile Gleason)
Played by Lucile Gleason
Benjamin Thomas's wife who confronts the stinginess in her marriage and participates in a plan to reform him. Her presence drives the social maneuvering that hinges on public perception and private affection. She embodies the dynamic between marriage and material concerns.
- 💔 Marriage
- 💎 Social status
- 🗯️ Conversation
Where and When Is Girls About Town Set?
Girls About Town is set in Brooklyn and New York City (Early 1930s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Early 1930s
Set in the early 1930s urban America, the story reflects the era's evolving social mores around money, romance, and independence. The glamorous nightlife and social games drive plot twists and character choices. The period backdrop amplifies the tension between appearance and authenticity in relationships.
Where
Brooklyn, New York City
The film unfolds within New York City's social scene, moving between a luxurious apartment suite, a bustling party atmosphere, and scenes in Brooklyn. A glamorous yacht outing adds escapism and atmosphere to the urban backdrop. The setting highlights contrasts between wealth, social performance, and personal relationships in an urban environment.
- 🏙️ Urban setting
- 🗽 New York vibe
What Are the Themes of Girls About Town?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Romance, Wealth and Deception.
-
01
Romance
Wanda and Jim's romance evolves from convenience to genuine affection, challenging the premise that love must be earned through money or entertainment. The film frames romance as a test of sincerity against transactional arrangements. Their reconciliation underscores the possibility of authentic connection despite social games.
-
02
Wealth
Wealth and social status drive much of the plot: expensive gifts, a jewelry purchase, and high-society parties shape the characters' choices. The plan to reform Benjamin Thomas through ostentatious displays exposes the allure and danger of materialism. Money creates opportunities but also strains and deceptions among lovers and friends.
-
03
Deception
Deceptive schemes permeate the story: Hattie’s disguise as the mother, Wanda and Marie’s staged 'entertainment' work, and Alex’s blackmail plot. Characters conceal true intentions behind social performances, forcing trust to be earned. The unraveling of these deceptions leads to reconciliation and emotional honesty.
What Kind of Film Is Girls About Town?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A sleek, witty pre-Code comedy that navigates the sparkling but deceptive world of high society with a playful tone, where glamorous performances ultimately give way to genuine romance and moral reconciliation.
- glamorous
- witty
- romantic
- playful
- sophisticated
- deceptive
- transactional relationships
- mistaken identity
- transformation
- class and wealth
Quiz
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