Joy of Living 1938

Glamour star with hidden debt

Maggie is the star of the musical Glamour and earns a large salary, but she is deeply in debt. She has poured money into a palatial home and supports her parents, sister Salina, and her sister's husband Bert. The financial strain behind her glamorous life sets up the tensions that follow.

After-show chase by a persistent suitor

After the show one night, Maggie forces her way through adoring fans and is accosted by Dan Webster, who latches onto her. She dismisses him as a masher at first, but he proves hard to shake. The encounter marks the beginning of their complicated relationship.

Dan's courtroom debut after another incident

Dan's second encounter with Maggie leads to a charge. He is brought before a judge and the charge is proven, resulting in a six-month prison sentence. The legal trouble complicates their budding dynamic.

Maggie wins a suspended sentence for Dan

Maggie begs the judge to commute Dan's sentence to a suspended one, arguing for mercy. The judge agrees but imposes a twist: Dan must report as Maggie's probation officer twice a week. The arrangement forces an ongoing, awkward connection between them.

Dan's wealth and the island boast

Dan reveals himself as a carefree heir from a rich banking family and loudly proclaims that he owns an island in the South Pacific bought with family money. His charm masks a life of privilege and luxury. Maggie starts to see a different side of life beyond her career and debt.

Dan pursues Maggie’s heart and carefree philosophy

Dan continues to pursue Maggie, urging her to take time off and enjoy life the way he does. He embodies a contrasting philosophy to her relentless work ethic. The budding romance challenges Maggie's professional obligations.

Love leads to marriage

Maggie and Dan fall in love and marry, blending glamor with privilege. The union deepens the pull between Maggie's career and the life Dan offers. Their different worlds begin to collide as they start their life together.

Dan wants to sail to Paradise; Maggie resists

Dan wants to board his boat and sail to Paradise immediately, eager for a life of island fantasies. Maggie, however, has a show to perform and must decide how much of her future she is willing to give up. The clash highlights the central tension between duty and desire.

Returning home to confront the family

Maggie returns to the family home to confront her sponging relatives who have drained her resources. She tells her parents to abandon the antiques obsession and instead go into the antiques business themselves. She also tells her sister that tonight she will take the stage and perhaps make her name.

Tonight: the big stage moment

Tonight is the moment Maggie will take the stage and (perhaps) make her name. She balances the pressures of family, romance, and career as she prepares to perform. The performance represents a turning point in her life.

Decision: fame or Paradise

Maggie's choice between a defining performance and following Dan to Paradise looms large. The film hints at how this moment could redefine her future. The tension between professional ambition and personal happiness comes to a head.