Ladies of the Chorus 1948
Directed by
Phil Karlson
Made by
Columbia Pictures
Ladies of the Chorus Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Ladies of the Chorus (1948). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Peggy Marilyn Monroe Martin and her mother Mae Martin Adele Jergens toil as burlesque chorus girls, moving between smoky backstage rooms and the bright, risky world of a touring revue. When the star of the show, Bubbles LaRue Marjorie Hoshelle, unexpectedly quits, the stage manager Joe Frank J. Scannell pleads with Mae to go on for one more number. Mae, with a sly steadiness, arranges for Peggy to step in instead, and Peggy’s performance lands with such power that she is offered the starring role, shifting the trajectory of both their lives.
One evening, Randy Carroll Rand Brooks, a member of Cleveland’s wealthy social circle, is brought to the show by friends and is instantly drawn to Peggy. He learns that Peggy generally shies away from dates because her mother disapproves, so he tries a patient, no-pressure approach: nightly he sends Peggy an orchid, unsigned. Curious about the sender, Peggy asks the florist to reveal the identity, and the moment the mystery man arrives, the two finally meet. Randy invites Peggy to dinner, and she agrees, but she first wants him to meet her mother. Randy is surprised to discover Mae Martin, also a dancer, but he still asks her to join them for the dinner. Mae declines at first, yet the idea of the meeting lingers as Peggy returns home glowing with plans.
The next day, Randy asks Mae for her blessing, yet Mae warns him that there is a clear class difference between him and Peggy. Randy resists the seriousness of that reality, arguing that people are more open-minded now than they were in Mae’s day, and Mae reluctantly agrees to the match—on one condition: Randy must tell his mother about Peggy’s profession before the engagement becomes public.
Randy falters at that request, and the truth remains unsaid. When Adele Carroll Nana Bryant, Randy’s mother, invites Mae and Peggy to visit, she begins laying the groundwork for a lavish engagement party that will draw every couple in their circle. Adele also brings in Billy Mackay [Eddie Garr], a retired burlesque comic who has cherished Mae for years, hoping to revive old connections and secure a smooth union for her son.
At the party, the trio of musicians hired by Adele recognize Peggy and coax her to sing, publicly titling her as the star of the evening and, more broadly, labeling her as the queen of burlesque in front of their guests. The revelation shocks the guests, and Peggy and Mae attempt to leave, but Adele stops them, warning that fleeing would only deepen the scandal.
Adele then invites Billy to help perform with Peggy, and she openly confesses that she too had once been a chorus girl. Billy quietly tells Mae that Adele had crafted the entire setup to nudge Randy and Peggy toward each other. As the night unfolds and Randy and Peggy embrace, Adele nudges Billy and Mae toward a plan for a double wedding, hoping to seal the union with both couples stepping into a shared future.
Ladies of the Chorus Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of Ladies of the Chorus (1948) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Peggy gets the spotlight opportunity
Peggy and Mae work as burlesque chorus girls. After star Bubbles LaRue quits, stage manager Joe asks Mae to perform a special number, but Mae secretly arranges for Peggy to take the opportunity, thrusting her into the spotlight. This sets Peggy on a path toward stardom within the troupe.
Peggy's breakthrough and offer of a starring role
Peggy's performance is exceptionally well-received and she is offered the starring role. The crowd and the management recognize her talent, securing a dramatic shift for her career and for Mae as her chaperone. The opportunity elevates their status within the burlesque world.
Randy Carroll falls for Peggy
One evening, Randy Carroll, a member of a wealthy Cleveland family, attends Peggy's show with friends and instantly falls for her. He begins pursuing her in secret, drawn by her charm and performance. Peggy remains cautious but curious about this new admirer.
An anonymous orchid admirer
Randy becomes Peggy's silent admirer, sending an orchid every night with no signature. Peggy, intrigued by the mystery, asks the florist to reveal who is sending the flowers. The seek for the identity adds a flutter of romance and suspense.
The meeting and dinner invitation
Peggy and Randy finally meet; he asks Peggy to dinner and she accepts, but first invites him to meet her mother. Randy is surprised to learn Mae is also a dancer, yet he asks them to join him for supper. The dinner sets the stage for a blending of two worlds.
The marriage proposal and class warning
Randy proposes marriage after the dinner, and Peggy excitedly shares the news with Mae. Mae warns that there is a class difference between Randy's circle and their own, foreshadowing trouble ahead. The moment tests their willingness to bridge two social worlds.
Mae's cautionary tale
To underscore the risks, Mae recounts her own failed marriage to a Boston socialite whose family shunned her profession. The story illustrates the potential consequences of marrying into high society without honesty. It also hardens Peggy and Mae's resolve to handle things carefully.
Consent sought with a condition
Randy asks for Mae's consent to marry Peggy but avoids telling his mother about Peggy's burlesque past. Mae agrees to the marriage only if Randy reveals Peggy's profession to Adele before the engagement reaches her, to prevent later shock. The condition places a moral test on Randy.
Adele invited and the engagement party planned
Adele, Randy's mother, invites Mae and Peggy for a visit and plans a lavish engagement party with friends. The invitation is both a trap and an opportunity, as Adele hopes to bridge families while testing Peggy's mettle in polite society. The stage is set for a confrontation and revelation.
The party cringe: 'Queen of Burlesque' revealed
At the engagement party, the hired musicians recognize Peggy and publicly address her as 'Peggy, the Queen of Burlesque,' humiliating her in front of the guests. Peggy and Mae try to leave, but Adele stops them, insisting they stay and face the judgment. The moment exposes the tension between love, pride, and propriety.
Adele's scheme exposed
Billy Mackay privately tells Mae that Adele had concocted the backstory to help Randy and Peggy. The revelation twists the party's dynamics and shows Adele's willingness to manipulate others to secure the couple's future. Mae processes the truth with mixed emotions.
Adele confirms her past and the double wedding plan
Adele reveals she, too, was a chorus girl, illustrating empathy with Peggy. She then persuades Billy and Mae to make the engagement a double wedding, uniting both couples in a shared celebration. The film closes on a hopeful note as the families commit to love despite their differences.
Ladies of the Chorus Characters
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Peggy Martin (Marilyn Monroe)
A talented chorus girl who seizes a big break when Mae arranges for her to take the starring number. Peggy's charm and ambition drive her rise, even as she contends with her mother's protective stance and the judgments of high society. Her romance with Randy offers a path to respectability, but it also exposes her to class tensions.
Mae Martin (Adele Jergens)
Peggy's mother and fellow dancer, pragmatic and protective as she guides Peggy toward a stable future. She has a past with a Boston socialite husband and warns about class differences, balancing sacrifice with love for her daughter. Mae supports Peggy's dreams while navigating the expectations of wealth and respectability.
Randy Carroll (Rand Brooks)
A member of a wealthy Cleveland society who falls for Peggy. He must face his privilege and the disapproval of family, hoping to win Peggy's hand despite class barriers. His proposal and insistence on honesty about Peggy's past test the boundaries of love and society.
Adele Carroll (Nana Bryant)
Randy's mother and a socialite who orchestrates social events to shape her son's future. She engineers the engagement party and ultimately supports the union, even manipulating the circumstances to help Peggy and Randy. Adele's actions reveal a blend of protection and strategic maneuvering within upper-class circles.
Bubbles LaRue (Marjorie Hoshelle)
A glamorous burlesque star who embodies the show’s glitter and tension. As the existing star, she recognizes Peggy's potential and serves as a catalyst in the entertainment world that shapes Peggy's ascent. Bubbles represents the allure and rivalry within the chorus world.
Joe (Frank J. Scannell)
The stage manager who handles the backstage dynamics and helps organize Peggy's big moment. He balances show business demands with family concerns and plays a role in bringing Peggy to the spotlight. Joe's practical support keeps the production running as Peggy's future unfolds.
Salisbury (Steven Geray)
A theater figure involved in the production's backstage world. Salisbury represents the more old-school, authoritative side of the stage environment and helps shape the setting in which Peggy's talents are showcased.
Billy Mackay (Eddie Garr)
A retired burlesque comic who has long loved Mae and remains connected to the club's community. He provides a mix of nostalgia and supportive humor, contributing to the show’s social tapestry and the broader plans that culminate in a double wedding.
Ladies of the Chorus Settings
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Time period
1940s
The narrative takes place in the early 1940s, a period when American show business and socialites shaped public perception. The era’s value on appearances and propriety influences how characters navigate romance and career. Entertainment venues like the burlesque circuit are a key setting for ambition and reputation.
Location
Cleveland, Ohio, Burlesque Theatre
Set in Cleveland, Ohio, the story unfolds around a bustling burlesque theatre and the social circles that orbit it. The city provides a backdrop where performers and wealthy patrons intersect, highlighting tensions between showbiz life and upper-class expectations. The venue serves as the arena for Peggy's rise from chorus girl to headlining star.
Ladies of the Chorus Themes
Discover the main themes in Ladies of the Chorus (1948). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Love & Class
Peggy's romance with Randy crosses a stark social boundary, prompting questions about who deserves happiness beyond wealth and status. Mae worries about Peggy's future while still supporting her daughter's desires. The relationship tests family loyalty and the pressure to conform to a respectable image.
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Showbiz & Identity
Peggy's talent propels her from a chorus line to a headline act, exposing the fragility and glamour of showbiz. The idea of who Peggy is versus who she appears to be is woven into every performance and social encounter. The plot treats performance as a mask and a means to redefine one's place in society.
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Family & Loyalty
Mae's protective instinct for Peggy demonstrates determined maternal loyalty, even when it means bending expectations. Adele's social maneuvering reveals a different kind of loyalty—to family reputation and future security. The story resolves in a double celebration that cements family bonds alongside romantic union.
Ladies of the Chorus Spoiler-Free Summary
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In the neon‑lit world of touring burlesque revues, life thrives in a perpetual dance between shadowed backstage corridors and the dazzling glare of the footlights. The atmosphere is a heady mix of smoky perfume, sequins flashing against dark velvet, and the restless rhythm of jazz that fuels both the performers and the eager crowds that line the aisles. It is a place where ambition glitters as brightly as the costumes, yet every applause is undercut by the precariousness of a life lived on constant applause and fragile applause‑filled promises.
At the heart of this glittering tableau is Mae Martin, a seasoned chorus‑girl whose years on the board have given her a steady, nearly mother‑like composure. Beside her, her daughter Peggy moves with the restless energy of someone on the cusp of something larger, sharing the stage and the secrets of the trade with her mother. Their bond is forged in the rhythm of rehearsals and the quiet moments between numbers, a partnership that blurs the line between family and fellow performer. The troupe’s star attraction, Bubbles LaRue, commands the spotlight with a magnetic presence that both inspires and overshadows the newer talent.
When the reigning headliner suddenly steps away, the vacuum forces the troupe to look inward, and Peggy finds herself thrust into the role that once seemed out of reach. Her sudden ascension brings fresh attention, not only from the audience but also from Randy Carroll, a polished young man from a world of wealth and polished social gatherings. Their tentative connection hints at a collision of two very different lives, and Mae watches with a mixture of hope and apprehension, aware that the chasm between a burlesque stage and high society could prove as dangerous as it is alluring. The film hovers poised on this tension, inviting viewers into a world where the sparkle of the lights masks deeper questions of identity, love, and the price of ambition.
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