What Is Nothing But the Truth About?
The premise of Nothing But the Truth in 277 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the sun‑drenched world of 1940s Miami, a charismatic stockbroker named Steve Bennett steps into a sleek, high‑stakes arena of wealth and privilege. Fresh from securing a coveted position with the suave impresario T.T. Ralston, Steve finds himself drawn into a playful yet perilous wager: he must speak nothing but the absolute truth for an entire twenty‑four‑hour stretch. The bet, placed on a crisp ten‑thousand‑dollar promise, is watched by a circle of eager onlookers, turning the ordinary rhythm of a business day into a tense, comedic experiment.
The setting shifts to Ralston’s luxurious yacht, a floating salon where glittering guests, ambitious financiers, and glamorous acquaintances mingle beneath the azure horizon. Among them is Gwen Saunders, Ralston’s attractive niece who carries her own ambitions, as well as Tom Van Dusen, her protective boyfriend, and Dick Donnelly, a sharp‑tongued partner in the unscrupulous venture. Adding a splash of color is Linda Graham, an exotic dancer whose presence hints at the clash between polished propriety and unvarnished desire. The atmosphere is one of witty banter and polished etiquette, a place where every remark can either seal a deal or spark a scandal.
The film’s tone is a breezy, light‑hearted comedy that tiptoes between the glitter of high society and the sobering weight of moral honesty. By challenging Steve to uphold an unwavering pledge of truth, the story invites a playful examination of how candor collides with the artful deceptions that keep a social ship sailing smoothly. As the clock ticks, the yacht becomes a stage for a series of comic misunderstandings, underscoring the timeless question of whether absolute honesty can survive amidst the polished façades of wealth, romance, and ambition.
What Happens in Nothing But the Truth?
The complete story of Nothing But the Truth, from the first scene to the last, in 745 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Steve Bennett, [Bob Hope], a stockbroker in Miami, has just accepted a position working for T.T. Ralston, [Edward Arnold]. He becomes entangled in a pushy scheme when Gwen Saunders, [Paulette Goddard], Ralston’s beautiful niece, asks him to invest $10,000 that she needs doubled within 24 hours. Ralston has promised Gwen that if she can raise $20,000, he will double it, but he has been secretly working behind her back to keep her from even raising the initial sum.
A high-stakes test soon follows: Ralston and his partner Dick Donnelly, along with Gwen’s boyfriend Tom Van Dusen, [Leif Erickson], bet Steve that he cannot stay completely honest for an entire day. Steve agrees to the bet and to the держ that the $10,000 he received from Gwen will be the stake. One key rule governs the wager: no one may reveal the bet to an outsider, and the bet cannot be canceled. What follows is a meticulous, almost clinical twenty-four hours during which Steve is watched while entertaining guests and clients aboard Ralston’s yacht.
As the day unfolds, Steve’s unwavering honesty begins to upset the social balance of the yacht’s atmosphere. When he speaks plainly about the stock pitches and the world of profit-and-loss, he inadvertently offends several people, exposing the tensions behind the smooth veneer of Ralston’s operation. The yacht scene becomes a floating stage for awkward truths and unintended consequences, marked by crisp conversations, shifting loyalties, and a sense that truth, in this environment, can be both empowering and costly.
The evening introduces Linda Graham, an exotic dancer who enters the yacht seeking backing for her act. Linda, played by [Helen Vinson], chats with Steve and shares details about her show, drawing the attention of Mrs. Ralston and another well-dressed guest who overhear the conversation and wrongly conclude that Linda is Steve’s wife. This misunderstanding adds a layer of social pressure to Steve’s already delicate position, complicating the moral stakes of the bet.
As the night deepens, the trio of men who are watching Steve take drastic measures: they steal his clothes to prevent him from leaving the ship. In a bold turn, Steve borrows a dress from Linda and, in disguise, slips into Gwen’s room at her invitation. There, he clarifies that he is not married to Linda and that his feelings are genuine—he tells Gwen that he is in love with her.
The following day, Steve faces a wall of scrutiny from every direction. Gwen discovers his presence in Linda’s room during the night, Madison-style whispers ripple through the women aboard, and Tom’s jealousy flares as he worries about Gwen. To complicate matters further, Linda asserts to others that she is indeed married to Steve and that they have a child together, a fabrication she maintains in cahoots with Dick to intensify Steve’s difficulties.
As the twenty-four hours draw toward their end, a new figure arrives: Mr. Bishop, the head of the charity organization to which Gwen intends to donate the future $40,000. The presence of Mr. Bishop intensifies the pressure on Gwen to secure a legitimate arrangement for the money, while she uses the countdown of the clock to bide time and shield Steve just long enough to win the bet.
In a moment of calculated misdirection, the clocks aboard the yacht have been advanced by the conspirators, and when they strike four, Steve appears ready to lie to Mr. Bishop about the funds. The conspirators celebrate their supposed victory, believing they have forced Steve into a dishonest pledge for twenty-four hours. Yet an observant valet discovers the deception and resets the clock to true time, changing the outcome entirely. Steve ends up winning the bet by proving he had never truly lied for the full twenty-four hours.
In the final moments, Steve explains to everyone that his wager was not merely about deception, but about proving that his integrity and honesty could endure the test. The revelation restores his honor, and Gwen—a little drawn to this resilient truthfulness—grants him a kiss, signaling the beginning of a potential trust beyond the bluff and the bet.
Overall, the story unfolds as a social comedy wrapped in a moral experiment, using the glamorous yacht setting to explore honesty, appearances, romance, and the delicate balance between truth and tact. The film keeps a light, sly tone while tracking how a simple test of candor can upend relationships, challenge egos, and ultimately honor the commitments that lie beneath the surface of flirtation, wealth, and ambition.
Nothing But the Truth Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Start of the 24-hour honesty bet on the yacht” to “Gwen rewards Steve with a kiss”. 12 events name a place, across 5 locations.
- 1
Start of the 24-hour honesty bet on the yacht
Steve Bennett agrees to the 24-hour honesty challenge proposed by Ralston and his partners, with Gwen pressing him to invest her money. The bet comes with strict rules: no outsider can learn of it and the gamble can't be cancelled. The stakes involve Gwen's $10,000 and the social cruise context aboard Ralston's yacht as they begin the test.
When:Morning Where:Ralston's yacht
- 2
Truth-telling tests the group on the yacht
During the day, Steve speaks bluntly and truthfully to guests and clients as part of the wager. His honesty clashes with the shady stock practices around him, and his blunt assessments offend several people. The others keep a close watch as the 24-hour period progresses, waiting to see if truth can win over tact.
When:Daytime Where:Ralston's yacht
- 3
Linda Graham requests backing and discusses her show
An exotic dancer named Linda Graham enters the yacht, looking for backing for her show and speaking with Steve about it. She tells him about her professional plans and hints at a potential partnership if she can secure support. Steve's reaction to her ambition becomes a focal point of the social gathering on board.
When:Late evening Where:Yacht lounge
- 4
Misunderstanding leads to belief Linda is Steve's wife
Mrs. Ralston and another distinguished guest overhear Linda's conversation and mistakenly believe that Linda is Steve's wife. The mistaken assumption creates awkward tension among the shipboard guests. The rumor adds to Steve's mounting social pressure as the clock continues to run on the bet.
When:Late evening Where:Yacht
- 5
Clothes stolen and Steve must improvise a disguise
During the night, the partners steal Steve's clothes to prevent him from leaving the yacht, forcing him to borrow a dress from Linda. The forced disguise complicates the social dynamics and raises the stakes of the 24-hour challenge. It also foreshadows the lengths to which the other men will go to win the bet.
When:Night Where:On board the yacht
- 6
Steve visits Gwen in disguise and declares his feelings
In disguise, Steve sneaks into Gwen's room at her invitation and reassures her that he isn't married to Linda. He confesses that he is in love with Gwen, which deepens the personal stakes of the bet. The moment cements a complicated triangle of trust, deception, and affection on the yacht.
When:Night Where:Gwen's room
- 7
Morning repercussions: Gwen and the guests react
The next day, Gwen confronts the consequences of Steve's night-time visit, while Linda's rumor mill claims he's married to her and has a child. The ladies view Steve as indecent, and Tom's jealousy over Gwen's affection fuels further tension. The atmosphere on the yacht grows more strained as the truth becomes muddier.
When:Following day Where:Yacht
- 8
Mr. Bishop arrives to inspect the money
Mr. Bishop, the head of the charity Gwen planned to donate to, boards the yacht and requests to see the promised funds. Gwen tries to keep him occupied and buy time, hoping to preserve Steve's fragile credibility and the bet's integrity. The arrival raises the stakes as the clock ticks toward the deadline.
When:End of the 24-hour period Where:Yacht
- 9
The clock manipulation edges toward the deadline
The partners have secretly moved the clocks forward, so their timing aligns with the moment Steve would be forced to lie. As the clock hits the critical moment, Steve is prepared to present a false balance about the money to Mr. Bishop. The deceptive setup creates a tense window for the outcome of the wager.
When:Near deadline Where:Yacht
- 10
The twist: the clocks were reset, changing the outcome
The celebration of a supposed victory is interrupted when the valet reveals that he had reset the clocks after noticing they were wrong. The intended advantage for the partners collapses as the true time frame is restored. The turn of events preserves Steve's chance to complete the bet on his terms.
When:Just after the four o'clock mark Where:Yacht
- 11
Steve's declaration and the restoration of his honor
With the clock confusion resolved, Steve asserts that he fulfilled the spirit of the 24-hour honesty test and, in effect, doubled Gwen's money. His forthrightness is vindicated, and his integrity is restored in front of the crew and guests. The tension wanes as the bet resolves in his favor.
When:Immediately after the clock twist Where:Yacht
- 12
Gwen rewards Steve with a kiss
Gwen, impressed by Steve's perseverance and the ultimate outcome, rewards him with a kiss and a renewed interest. The successful resolution of the bet strengthens their budding connection and marks the end of the social spectacle aboard the yacht. Steve's name is cleared, and his standing with Gwen is solidified.
When:End of the day Where:Yacht
Who Are the Main Characters in Nothing But the Truth?
8 characters, among them Steve Bennett (Bob Hope), Gwen Saunders (Paulette Goddard) and Tom Van Dusen (Leif Erickson): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Steve Bennett (Bob Hope)
Played by Bob Hope
A principled stockbroker who believes truth can replace deceit. He bets Gwen $10,000 that he can be completely honest for 24 hours, and his relentless candor sets off social chaos aboard the yacht. His resourcefulness and stubborn sense of integrity ultimately win the day when the clocks are revealed to be wrong.
- 💼 Confident
- 🗣️ Witty
- 🧭 Principled
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Gwen Saunders (Paulette Goddard)
Played by Paulette Goddard
A determined, persuasive woman who must raise $20,000 for her benefactor’s charity and becomes the catalyst of the bet. She navigates social alliances with charm and resolve, though she is often mistaken for Steve’s wife due to misunderstandings sparked by others’ schemes.
- 🎭 Ambitious
- 💃 Persuasive
- 🧭 Strategic
- TV
Tom Van Dusen (Leif Erickson)
Played by Leif Erickson
Gwen’s boyfriend who is part of the high-society circle. He is drawn into the glitz and tensions of the yacht party and reacts with jealousy as truths surface. His role helps magnify the personal stakes of the truth-for-a-day bet.
- 💑 Jealous
- 🧭 Loyal
- 🎩 Social climber
- TT
T. T. Ralston (Edward Arnold)
Played by Edward Arnold
A ruthless financier who masterminds the scheme to push bad stocks onto clients while manipulating the bet’s rules. He embodies the corrupt business world that the protagonist challenges with honesty.
- 💼 Boss
- 🧠 Schemer
- 😈 Antagonist
- DD
Dick Donnelly (Glenn Anders)
Played by Glenn Anders
Ralston’s partner and co-conspirator who helps orchestrate the deception inside the yacht’s social orbit. He thrives on manipulation and uses lies to complicate Steve’s mission.
- 🎭 Trickster
- 🗣️ Manipulator
- 💼 Accomplice
- LG
Linda Graham (Helen Vinson)
Played by Helen Vinson
An exotic dancer who flirts with Steve and plays both sides of the story, claiming marriage and a child to entangle perceptions. Her actions heighten the risk of social disgrace for Steve and Gwen.
- 💃 Seductive
- 🧭 Opportunist
- 💬 Provocateur
- MB
Mr. Bishop (Grant Mitchell)
Played by Grant Mitchell
Head of the charity that Gwen intends to fund; he becomes a critical observer of whether the money is real and whether the bet can influence charitable giving. His presence underscores the ethical stakes of the wager.
- 🏛️ Authority
- 🎭 Intrigue
- 💬 Respect
- MR
Mrs. Ralston (Mary Forbes)
Played by Mary Forbes
A sophisticated figure in Ralston’s circle who overhears conversations and adds to the social fabric of the party’s gossip. Her perspective helps reveal how reputation rides on perception.
- 👩✈️ Socialite
- 🗨️ Observer
- 💼 Power broker
Where and When Is Nothing But the Truth Set?
Nothing But the Truth is set in Miami and Florida. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Miami, Florida
Set in Miami, Florida, the film frames a sun-soaked coastal city known for its fast money and glamorous lifestyle. Much of the action unfolds on a luxury yacht anchored near the harbor, where high-society guests mingle with financiers. The setting contrasts breezy resort vibes with cutthroat financial schemes, underscoring the clash between appearance and integrity.
- 🌴 Coastal city
- 💼 Finance and leisure hub
- ⚓ Yacht setting
What Are the Themes of Nothing But the Truth?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Truth vs Lies, Honesty and Performance and Finance and Ethics.
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01
Truth vs Lies
The central wager forces Steve to navigate a world where honesty is supposed to be punishment-free, yet candor disrupts social decorum and creates waves of offense. The film uses humor to show that truth can undermine power and prestige when spoken out of context. Ultimately, honesty reveals character and tests loyalties, rather than simply enemies.
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02
Honesty and Performance
Truth-telling becomes a performance under scrutiny, as every utterance is weighed for its social impact. The yacht’s gatherings turn truth into a tool that can flatter, shock, or ruin reputations. The characters learn that sincerity without tact can backfire, while tact without truth can be equally hollow.
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03
Finance and Ethics
The plot centers on pushy financiers pressing bad stocks on clients, exposing how wealth can corrupt judgment. The bet uses money as collateral for personal integrity, prompting reflections on trust, responsibility, and accountability in business. The outcome suggests that honor matters more than winning a wager.
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04
Communication and Misunderstanding
Misinterpretations proliferate as rumors swirl—Linda’s claim of marriage and a child inflames jealousy and scandal. The crew’s scheming manipulates perception, showing how information can be weaponized. The story demonstrates that clear, honest communication is essential to resolve conflicts and restore relationships.
What Kind of Film Is Nothing But the Truth?
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 witty and playful social comedy that follows the amusing chaos created by a man's forced honesty, set against the glamorous backdrop of a yacht, where romantic tension and social satire intertwine.
- witty
- playful
- socially awkward
- mischievous
- romantic
- honesty
- social experiment
- bet
- misunderstandings
- social satire
Quiz
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