What Is Hold That Woman! About?
The premise of Hold That Woman! in 332 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a bustling city where the hum of commerce is punctuated by the clatter of unpaid bills, a network of skip‑tracers makes a living out of reclaiming the everyday objects people can no longer afford. Their world is a blend of gritty realism and a subtly comic rhythm, where each repossession feels like a small, high‑stakes negotiation. The atmosphere is charged with the tension of constant deadlines, yet there’s an undercurrent of camaraderie among the agents who navigate the thin line between law and livelihood.
At the centre of this restless environment is Jimmy Parker, a sharp‑witted skip‑tracer determined to prove himself. Under the watchful eye of his demanding boss Bill Lannigan, Jimmy wrestles with the expectations of a cut‑throat agency while keeping his own ambitions in check. His relationship with Mary Mulvaney, a supportive fiancée whose own ties to the police add an extra layer of complexity, offers a glimpse of personal hope amid the relentless grind. Adding pressure is the ever‑present rivalry with Miles Hanover, a fellow collector whose success looms as both a benchmark and a challenge.
The routine of chasing overdue appliances takes an unexpected turn when Jimmy is tasked with retrieving a tiny radio from Lulu Driscoll, a habitual non‑payer known for slipping through the cracks. What begins as a standard repossession soon reveals a hidden cache of stolen diamonds, turning the modest device into a magnet for a desperate gang. The discovery injects a sudden urgency into Jimmy’s world, hinting at a frantic chase through the city’s shadowed avenues, where every turn could bring him face‑to‑face with danger.
Against this backdrop of relentless pursuit and uneasy alliances, the film balances tension with a dry, sardonic humor. The characters are drawn into a web where personal ambition, loyalty, and the lure of a quick windfall collide, promising a story that is as much about the inner workings of a niche profession as it is about the surprising twists that can arise from the most ordinary of objects.
What Happens in Hold That Woman!?
The complete story of Hold That Woman!, from the first scene to the last, in 497 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 7 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
A determined boss of a skiptrace agency, Bill Lannigan, sets a challenging goal for his top agent, Jimmy Parker — he has just thirty days to become as successful as his rival, Miles Hanover, or face termination. Jimmy, along with his fiancée Mary Mulvaney, who is also the daughter of a police officer, embarks on a series of detective-style missions, one of which involves repossessing a radio from Lulu Driscoll (Rita La Roy), who has not kept up with her payments.
Unbeknownst to Jimmy, the radio contains hidden stolen jewels belonging to the famous movie star Connie Hill. These jewels have been concealed by villains involved in her jewel theft case. When Jimmy forces his way into Lulu’s hotel room to retrieve the radio, Lulu becomes upset and calls the police, resulting in both Jimmy and Mary being arrested and taken to jail.
Meanwhile, John Lawrence (William Hall), Hill’s manager, is suspicious that her fiancé, Steve Brady, may be involved in her jewel theft. Lawrence and Hill listen secretly to a conversation between Brady and a man named Duke Jurgens, discussing a lucrative share in the theft. Determined to recover the stolen jewels, Lawrence hires the skiptracing agency to intervene, assigning Miles Hanover, Jimmy’s rival, to handle the case.
After being released from jail, Jimmy impulsively decides to marry Mary. They invest in a new home, buying furniture from a widow selling her possessions cheaply, symbolizing a fresh start. Driven by a desire to retrieve the jewelry and clear his name, Jimmy sets off to find Lulu, but discovers she has already moved.
Meanwhile, Miles Hanover witnesses the kidnapping of Brady by Jurgens and his gang. The criminals head to Lulu’s new residence, searching for the jewels. Their plan is thwarted when they notice Hanover spying on them. The gang ties up Hanover and captures Lulu and Brady, locking them in the trunk of a stolen car. As Jurgens’ gang ransacks the house in pursuit of the jewels, Jimmy arrives just in time to confront them, retrieving the radio.
In a twist of events, as Jimmy stores the radio in his trunk, a bag of stolen jewels accidentally falls out. Recognizing the car parked outside as one on his list, Jimmy quickly seizes the opportunity by commandeering the vehicle and sending Mary home with their own car for safety. The gang chases after Jimmy in a high-stakes pursuit, but both vehicles are stopped by police. Interestingly, one of the police officers turns out to be Jimmy’s future father-in-law. With the stolen jewels recovered, Jimmy shows him the evidence, confident he will earn the reward money from the insurance company.
However, their triumph is short-lived. Upon returning home, Jimmy and Mary realize they have been double-crossed; the furniture, bought cheaply earlier, has been repossessed by skiptracers, highlighting how their efforts to start anew have been undermined. Their adventure underscores themes of deception, perseverance, and the unpredictable nature of solving a crime while trying to build a life together.
Hold That Woman! Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Introduction of Bill Lannigan's Ultimatum” to “Jimmy and Mary Discover the Repossession”. 8 events name a place, across 8 locations.
- 1
Introduction of Bill Lannigan's Ultimatum
Bill Lannigan, head of Skip Tracers Ltd., gives his agent Jimmy Parker thirty days to surpass his rival Miles Hanover in success or face termination. This sets a competitive goal for Jimmy and introduces the central conflict of proving himself.
- 2
Attempt to Repossess Radio from Lulu Driscoll
Jimmy, along with his girlfriend Mary, tries to repossess a radio from Lulu Driscoll, who has not kept up her payments. During the struggle, they discover that stolen jewels are hidden inside the radio, linking the case to a high-profile theft.
Where:Lulu Driscoll's hotel
- 3
Police Arrest Jimmy and Mary
Lulu calls the police after Jimmy forcefully takes the radio. Both Jimmy and Mary are arrested and jailed, complicating their efforts to recover the stolen jewels connected to the movie star Connie Hill's theft.
Where:Police station
- 4
Suspicion Falls on Steve Brady
While Jimmy is imprisoned, Connie Hill's manager suspects her fiancé Steve Brady of involvement in the jewel theft. They listen to a conversation implicating Brady and a man named Duke Jurgens, suggesting a deeper criminal plot.
- 5
Jimmy Gets Out of Jail and Marries Mary
After being released, Jimmy impulsively marries Mary and begins to settle into a new life, buying a house and furniture from a widow, showing his desire for stability despite ongoing criminal investigations.
Where:Jimmy's new house
- 6
Jimmy Seeks Lulu for the Radio and Jewels
Jimmy searches for Lulu to recover the radio and stolen jewels but learns she has moved. Meanwhile, the gang led by Jurgens begins their search for the jewels at Lulu's new residence.
Where:Lulu's residence
- 7
Gang Intervenes and Kidnaps Lulu and Brady
Jurgens and his gang find Lulu and Brady at her new house, tie up Lulu and Brady, and place them in a stolen car trunk to hide the jewels. They also see Hanover spying on them and react aggressively.
Where:Lulu's new residence
- 8
Jimmy Intervenes in the Chase
Jimmy arrives during the gang's search and inadvertently gets involved. Jurgens gives him the radio to distract him, while the missing jewels fall from the radio, revealing their location.
- 9
Jimmy Tags the Stolen Car
Recognizing the stolen car outside the house, Jimmy takes it and sends Mary home with their own vehicle. The gang chases after him, leading to a police pursuit involving the stolen vehicle.
Where:Outside Lulu's residence
- 10
Police Stop the Chase
The police, including Jimmy's father-in-law, intercept the chase and stop both vehicles. Jimmy reveals that he has recovered the jewels and plans to claim the reward from the insurance company, resolving the criminal case.
Where:Roadside police stop
- 11
Jimmy and Mary Discover the Repossession
Jimmy and Mary return home to find that the furniture they bought has been repossessed by skiptracers, illustrating the ongoing influence of the criminal activities and the consequences they face after their adventures.
Where:Their home
Who Are the Main Characters in Hold That Woman!?
5 characters, among them Jimmy Parker, Mary Mulvaney and John Lawrence: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- JP
Jimmy Parker
Played by James Dunn
Jimmy is a determined skip tracer trying to succeed in a competitive business. His persistence and resourcefulness drive him to confront dangerous criminals, but his impulsiveness also leads to trouble. He shows resilience and a desire to protect those he cares about, such as Mary.
- 🕵️♂️ Determined
- 💘 Romantic
- 🚓 Brave
- MM
Mary Mulvaney
Played by Frances Gifford
Mary is a helpful and loyal daughter of a policeman who becomes Jimmy's wife. Her support and quick thinking are vital in navigating the dangers they face. She represents innocence caught in a web of crime, yet she remains courageous and resourceful.
- 💖 Loyal
- 🧠 Quick-witted
- 👩👧 Supportive
- JL
John Lawrence
Played by William Hall
John Lawrence is a cautious and suspicious manager who suspects his client's fiancé of involvement in jewel theft. His cautious nature makes him a key figure in uncovering the criminal plot and protecting the actress's reputation.
- 🕵️♂️ Suspicious
- 📝 Analytical
- 💼 Professional
- SB
Steve Brady
Played by George Douglas
Steve is the suspect and fiancé of Connie Hill. His character is threaded with suspicion and conflict, as he is entangled in the jewel theft. His actions influence the criminal investigation and add tension to the story.
- 🚶♂️ Suspicious
- 🤝 Conflicted
- 💔 Romantic
- DJ
Duke Jurgens
Played by Paul Bryar
Duke is a criminal gang leader involved in jewel theft and illicit activities. His character embodies the menace and cunning of organized crime, constantly trying to outsmart law enforcement and skip tracers.
- 🧟♂️ Villainous
- 🕵️♂️ Cunning
- 🧳 Criminal
Where and When Is Hold That Woman! Set?
Hold That Woman! is set in Los Angeles (1930s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1930s
The film takes place during the 1930s, an era marked by the Great Depression, gangsters, and Prohibition-era politics. This period influenced the movie's themes of crime, corruption, and moral ambiguity. The setting reflects the era's social tensions and the rise of gangster activity, as seen in the criminal plots surrounding stolen jewels and gang rivalries.
Where
Los Angeles
The movie is set in Los Angeles, a city known for its entertainment industry, vibrant neighborhoods, and historical ties to the film and television worlds. Its iconic urban landscape provides a fitting backdrop for the detective and crime elements in the story. The city’s bustling atmosphere underscores the fast-paced life of its characters involved in skip tracing and law enforcement.
- 🌆 Urban
- 🎥 Hollywood
- 🏙️ Cityscape
What Are the Themes of Hold That Woman!?
2 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Crime and Justice and Theft and Deception.
-
01
Crime and Justice
The movie explores the ongoing battle between law enforcement and criminals, highlighting strategies used by skip tracers to recover stolen property. It examines themes of justice, deception, and the pursuit of truth amid underworld activities. The characters' interactions reveal the complex moral landscape of crime-saturated society.
-
02
Theft and Deception
Central to the plot is the stolen jewels hidden within an ordinary radio, representing betrayal and false appearances. The story underscores themes of greed and treachery, as characters manipulate situations for personal gain. The deception often leads to comical or dangerous consequences, reflecting the unpredictable nature of criminal endeavors.
What Kind of Film Is Hold That Woman!?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Mixed
A fast-paced and lighthearted crime caper that feels like a frantic dash, fueled by a case of mistaken identity and a stolen radio, mixing chase sequences with domestic misadventures.
- energetic
- frantic
- lighthearted
- mischievous
- chase-driven
- crime caper
- debt collection
- hidden treasure
- rivalry
- impulsive marriage
Content notes: kidnapping, confinement.
Quiz
How well do you remember Hold That Woman!? Test yourself on the story.
