What Is Laughter About?
The premise of Laughter in 292 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the glittering world of the Ziegfeld Follies, Peggy Gibson stands out as a celebrated beauty who makes a deliberate choice to trade the spotlight for security. Marrying the older, wealthy C. Morton Gibson, she steps into a life of luxury, hoping that comfort will satisfy her restless spirit. However, the transition from the stage to the quiet corridors of a mansion proves more jarring than anticipated, as the vibrant rhythm of her former life gives way to a suffocating stillness. She soon discovers that wealth provides many things, but it does not necessarily offer the joy or vitality she craves.
As the monotony of her marriage sets in, Peggy finds herself surrounded by men who represent the roads she did not take. There is Ralph Le Saint, a moody sculptor and longtime friend whose artistic temperament contrasts sharply with the staid predictability of her husband. More significantly, the arrival of Paul Lockridge, a witty pianist returning from Paris, reignites a spark of spontaneity she thought she had long extinguished. Paul sees through the gilded surface of her life, offering not just companionship but a vision of an existence filled with the one thing her current world lacks: genuine laughter.
The domestic atmosphere grows even more complex with the return of Gibson’s daughter, Marjorie, from her schooling abroad. Her presence introduces a new dynamic to the household, entangling the lives of the adults in unexpected ways. As these personalities converge, the mansion transforms into a landscape of longing and conflicting desires. Peggy stands at a crossroads, torn between the safety of her gilded cage and the uncertain allure of a life that promises vitality over riches, forcing her to question what she is willing to sacrifice for a chance at true happiness.
What Happens in Laughter?
The complete story of Laughter, from the first scene to the last, in 281 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Peggy Nancy Carroll Gibson is a Follies dancer who forsakes her carefree attachments in order to marry a millionaire. Her elderly husband, Frank Morgan C. Mortimer Gibson, is a well-meaning bore, and Peggy soon finds his conventional world stifling. Seeking something livelier than the dull routine of married life, she begins looking for entertainment elsewhere while still bound by marriage.
About a year after the wedding, three major developments unfold almost simultaneously: Peggy’s former lover, Paul Lockridge, Fredric March, a witty composer and pianist, returns from Paris and offers companionship as a diversion from her stuffy life; Ralph Le Sainte, Glenn Anders, a young sculptor who is still in love with Peggy, plans his suicide in a mood of bitterness; and Mortimer’s daughter Marjorie, Diane Ellis, returns from schooling abroad. Marjorie is soon paired with Ralph, and the romance that develops between them runs in parallel with the adult affair between Peggy and Paul, painting a portrait of longing, wealth, and the trouble those forces can cause in a household.
Ralph and Marjorie’s escapades bring considerable trouble for Mortimer, while Paul implores Peggy to go to Paris with him, declaring:
You are rich—dirty rich. You are dying. You need laughter to make you clean.
But Peggy refuses, torn between the security of wealth and the lure of genuine happiness. When Marjorie plans to elope with Ralph, Peggy exposes the sculptor as a fortune hunter; distraught, Ralph takes his own life. In the wake of these upheavals, Peggy confesses her unhappiness to Gibson, and ultimately decides to leave behind the stifling life she once thought would bring her contentment. She joins Paul and—amid laughter and the promise of Paris—begins a new chapter.
Laughter Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Peggy's ambition: marry a millionaire” to “Peggy joins Paul in Paris”.
- 1
Peggy's ambition: marry a millionaire
Peggy, a Follies dancer, sets her sights on marrying a millionaire and leaves behind her carefree lifestyle. Her pursuit of wealth shapes her choices and future relationships. This early decision foreshadows the conflicts to come as she navigates love and security.
- 2
Peggy marries Mortimer Gibson
Peggy marries the elderly broker C. Mortimer Gibson, hoping his wealth will secure her future. Mortimer is well-meaning but dull, and Peggy soon finds life with him unstimulating. Her sense of emptiness grows as she seeks excitement elsewhere.
- 3
One year after the marriage: Paul returns
A year after the marriage, Paul Lockridge returns from Paris. He is a composer who still loves Peggy and offers companionship as a distraction from her staid life. Peggy reunites with him, reigniting their lingering romance.
When:one year after marriage
- 4
Ralph Le Saint contemplates suicide
Ralph Le Saint, a young sculptor who remains in love with Peggy, descends into bitterness and plans his own suicide. His despair underscores the tangled emotional web surrounding Peggy and the others.
- 5
Marjorie returns from schooling abroad
Mortimer's daughter Marjorie returns from schooling abroad, bringing new energy and the potential for fresh romantic entanglements. Her arrival coincides with the evolving relationships around Peggy.
- 6
Peggy and Paul begin an affair
Peggy rekindles a romantic affair with Paul as the other strands of the story unfold. The adult relationship mirrors the shifting loyalties and desires within the household. The affair intensifies the emotional tensions already at play.
- 7
Ralph and Marjorie pursue their romance
Ralph and Marjorie begin their own romance, which brings trouble to Mortimer and strains the household further. Their escapades highlight the consequences of pursuing passion without regard for others.
- 8
Paul pleads to take Peggy to Paris
Paul pleads with Peggy to go to Paris with him, arguing that wealth should be paired with laughter and freedom. Peggy refuses, choosing to stay and face the consequences of her choices. The moment underscores her commitment to staying within her established life for the time being.
- 9
Marjorie plans to elope; Peggy exposes Ralph
Marjorie plans to elope with Ralph, but Peggy uncovers Ralph's true motive as a fortune hunter. Peggy reveals his deceit, undermining the fragile romance and shifting the balance of power among the adults.
- 10
Ralph's suicide
Dejected by the exposure and the collapse of his plans, Ralph commits suicide. The tragedy deepens Mortimer's troubles and adds weight to Peggy's ongoing moral conflict about wealth, love, and happiness.
- 11
Peggy confesses unhappiness to Gibson
Peggy confesses her unhappiness to Gibson, admitting that her pursuit of wealth and surface romance has failed to bring fulfillment. The admission marks a turning point in her understanding of love and security.
- 12
Peggy joins Paul in Paris
Peggy decides to join Paul in Paris, choosing laughter, companionship, and a fresh start over her previous ambitions. She leaves Mortimer behind to begin a new life with Paul and a chance at genuine happiness.
Who Are the Main Characters in Laughter?
7 characters, among them Peggy Gibson (Nancy Carroll), Paul Lockridge (Fredric March) and Ralph Le Sainte (Glenn Anders): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- PG
Peggy Gibson (Nancy Carroll)
Played by Nancy Carroll
Peggy is a Follies dancer who marries a wealthy but dull broker, seeking security yet growing restless with a life of routine. She longs for entertainment and authentic affection, leading her into intimate entanglements with Paul and, subsequently, Ralph. Her actions reveal a craving for laughter and connection over propriety or material comfort. By the end, she confesses her unhappiness to Gibson and chooses to join Paul in Paris.
- 💃 Performer
- 💎 Wealth
- ❤️ Love
-
Paul Lockridge (Fredric March)
Played by Fredric March
A composer and pianist who returns from Paris and is in love with Peggy. He offers companionship as a diversion from Peggy's stifling life and urges her toward a life of laughter in Paris. Paul embodies romance and spontaneity, challenging Peggy to choose authenticity over security. His insistence on leaving for Paris with Peggy drives the film toward its hopeful, liberating conclusion.
- 🎹 Music
- 💖 Romance
- ✈️ Travel
- RL
Ralph Le Sainte (Glenn Anders)
Played by Glenn Anders
A devil-may-care young sculptor in love with Peggy, he marries passion to habit and plans his own dramatic exit from life. Peggy exposes him as a fortune hunter, which shatters his pride and leads to his suicide. His presence catalyzes the conflict that tests Peggy's loyalties and Mortimer's patience. He represents the destructive side of desire when money and affection intertwine.
- 🎨 Artist
- 💔 Jealousy
- 🌪️ Turbulence
-
C. Mortimer Gibson (Frank Morgan)
Played by Frank Morgan
Peggy's elderly husband and a well-meaning yet stifling broker who embodies wealth without joy. His stodgy routine and material security stand in contrast to Peggy's craving for laughter and romance. His life is unsettled by his daughter Marjorie's romance and by Peggy's infidelities, pushing him toward a crisis point. He remains a patient, conflicted figure whose world is challenged by the newer generation's desires.
- 💼 Businessman
- 💤 Boredom
- 🤝 Family
- MG
Marjorie Gibson (Diane Ellis)
Played by Diane Ellis
Mortimer's daughter, who returns from schooling abroad and becomes involved with Ralph. Her romance with Ralph adds another layer of complication to the marital tension and exposes the perils of matching love with money. She serves as a catalyst for the entanglements that drive the story toward its dramatic turning points. Her presence highlights the global, cosmopolitan backdrop of the plot.
- 🎓 Scholar
- 💘 Romance
- 🌍 Abroad
-
Winslow (Charles Halton)
Played by Charles Halton
Gibson's secretary, a minor but present figure within the household. He provides the institutional backdrop of the wealthy couple's life and helps move the plot through the day-to-day functioning of their world.
- 💼 Secretary
- 🗂️ Bureaucracy
- B(
Benham (Leonard Carey)
Played by Leonard Carey
Gibson's butler, another minor but essential member of the household staff. He underscores the upper-class milieu and daily routines that Peggy seeks to escape.
- 🏰 Household
- 🧹 Servants
Where and When Is Laughter Set?
Laughter is set in New York and Paris. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
New York, Paris
The action centers on Peggy’s glamorous life as a Follies dancer, hinting at a New York city stage world. A year into marriage, the plot moves toward Paris, where Peggy seeks laughter and escape from a stuffy, wealthy life. Paris serves as the ultimate backdrop for the lovers’ choices, contrasting Mortimer's formal wealth with the couple's desire for freedom. The film blends high-society settings with the joie de vivre of the Parisian scene.
- 🏙️ City life
- 💎 Wealth
- 🎭 Theatre
- 🌃 Nightlife
What Are the Themes of Laughter?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love vs Wealth, Escape and Consequences.
-
01
Love vs Wealth
Peggy’s marriage to a wealthy but dull husband highlights the clash between financial security and emotional fulfillment. Her pursuit of affection leads her back to Paul and to the entanglement with Ralph, revealing the hollowness of wealth without companionship. The narrative uses these romances to critique a society that equates status with happiness. In the end, Peggy chooses love and laughter over a life of comfort.
-
02
Escape
Laughter acts as the emotional escape hatch for Peggy and Paul, a counterpoint to the rigid routine of Mortimer's world. The pursuit of merriment drives the plot—from the Broadway-style milieu to the Parisian freedom they seek. The title itself frames the film as a satire on adult disillusionment and the need for joy. Their final move to Paris marks a redemption through shared humor rather than money.
-
03
Consequences
The entanglements expose the moral complexities of high society: deception, desire, and the cost of pursuing pleasure. Ralph's plan to exploit Peggy ends in tragedy when he commits suicide after being exposed. Peggy's own confession catalyzes a break from the old life, suggesting that truth and accountability can lead to freedom, even at the cost of security.
What Kind of Film Is Laughter?
Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Mixed
A sophisticated and melancholic romantic drama about finding laughter and passion outside a stifling marriage, balancing glamour with the emotional cost of personal liberation.
- discontent
- yearning
- romantic
- melancholic
- theatrical
- glamorous
- marriage
- extramarital affair
- midlife crisis
- fortune hunting
Content notes: suicide.
