What Is So Goes My Love About?
The premise of So Goes My Love in 278 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the restless bustle of 1930s Brooklyn, a young woman from a modest farm arrives with a clear‑cut ambition: to trade the hard‑won simplicity of her countryside life for the comfort and culture of a wealthy husband. Jane Budden carries the hopes of a family that has sold its pig herd to fund this dream, and she steps into a world of polished parlors, glittering social gatherings, and a chorus of expectations that measure a woman’s worth by the size of her dowry. The city’s rhythm—fast, demanding, and full of promise—immediately challenges the grounded sensibilities she has known all her life.
Amid the glittering veneer, Hiram Maxim—an inventive but perpetually short‑on‑fund tinkerer—offers a startling contrast to the polished suitors that swirl around Jane. His workshop, cluttered with half‑finished contraptions and the lingering scent of oil and ambition, reflects a life driven more by curiosity than by cash. With a mixture of swagger, humor, and unapologetic honesty, he embodies a kind of rugged creativity that both unsettles and intrigues Jane, prompting her to question the simple equation of love with wealth. Their interactions are a dance of rivalry and attraction, each probing the other’s convictions while the city itself watches, amused and expectant.
The film moves between the bright, bustling streets of the metropolis and the lingering echoes of Jane’s rural roots, creating a tone that balances lighthearted romance with a subtle critique of material aspiration. As the two protagonists navigate social expectations, personal ambition, and the ordinary miracles of everyday invention, the story hints at a deeper lesson: that true fulfillment may lie somewhere between the pursuit of comfort and the daring pursuit of one’s own inventive spirit.
What Happens in So Goes My Love?
The complete story of So Goes My Love, from the first scene to the last, in 604 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Farmer’s daughter Jane Budden, Myrna Loy, sells her entire pig herd and heads for Brooklyn to find a husband who can grant her the comfortable life and cultivated world she has long dreamed of. On the way to the home of her cousin, Garnet Allison, Molly Lamont, Jane unexpectedly crosses paths with Hiram Maxim, Don Ameche — an eccentric inventor who lives near Garnet and carries a mix of charm and swagger that both unsettles and attracts her. Jane’s blunt stance about marriage — that she does not seek love but a rich husband who can provide ease and culture — scandalizes local society, and she finds herself the subject of pointed gossip as she insists on pursuing financial security over romantic romance.
Amused by Jane’s bold stance, Hiram visits her and bluntly tells her to forget about marrying him. He is not deterred by her allure, yet he challenges the very premise of a conventional match. Jane feels drawn to him, even as she resents his audacity, and she watches as one of Hiram’s inventions flops in public — a humiliating setback that underscores his outsider’s reputation and stubborn energy. The episode becomes a talking point at a local dance, where Hiram dispassionately critiques each of her suitors, with a pointed jab at Josephus Ford, a wealthy real estate developer and attorney who is also moving in influential circles. The encounter plants a seed of doubt in Jane’s mind about the conventional route and sows the seeds for a dramatic shift in her plans.
Jane eventually accepts Josephus Ford’s proposal, but the engagement party is interrupted when Hiram crashes the gathering. At the center of the disruption is the truth about Josephus’s expectations: he wants Jane to sign a prenuptial agreement and believes she should be frugal, quiet, and matronly. The revelation rattles Jane, and a new awareness blooms — she notices that Josephus has just invested in a pork-packing plant, a business move that signals profit while potentially compromising personal freedom. Fueled by this discovery, Jane breaks the engagement, rushes to Hiram’s house, and, in a bold turn, proposes to him herself.
Hiram and Jane marry, and the union, though built on unconventional roots, proves emotionally robust. Their home life is warm and energetic, even if Hiram’s inventions remain only marginally profitable at first. The couple welcomes a son, Percy, [Bobby Driscoll], whom Hiram raises with a free-spirited approach designed to foster creativity and confidence. Jane’s steadfast encouragement helps unlock a new rhythm in Hiram’s work, and gradually his inventive talents begin to align with practical needs, bringing in meaningful income for the family.
As success grows, a local organization asks Hiram to sit for a formal portrait, an honor he initially refuses. Undeterred, Jane, now pregnant with a second child, hires the eccentric artist Magel, Rhys Williams, to capture the family’s likeness anyway. The household’s warmth and playfulness deepen, culminating in a moment when Percy tries to be amusing by dressing his dog Skipper in a baby bonnet — a gift Jane had given for the expected arrival. The chase to retrieve the bonnet leads to a tense moment: Jane missteps while moving a piece of furniture, and her pregnancy is threatened. The physician fears for the baby, and Percy carries a heavy burden of guilt, convinced his mischief nearly harmed his mother. Yet Jane recovers, and the family welcomes a healthy second son. In the end, the household celebrates not only a new member but also the return of harmony, with Hiram and the entire family posing for Magel’s portrait, a tangible testament to their growth, resilience, and shared dreams.
So Goes My Love Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Jane leaves the pig herd and goes to Brooklyn” to “Birth of the second son and final portrait”. 12 events name a place, across 7 locations.
- 1
Jane leaves the pig herd and goes to Brooklyn
Jane Budden sells her pig herd and travels to Brooklyn to find a husband, heading toward her cousin Garnet Allison's home. She openly declares that she wants a life of ease and culture, not romance.
When:early in the story Where:Brooklyn
- 2
Jane meets Hiram Maxim and tests the idea of marriage
She meets the eccentric inventor Hiram Maxim in Garnet's neighborhood, who treats marriage as a joke. He bluntly tells her to forget about marrying him, while she remains attracted and amused by his audacity.
When:early in their acquaintance Where:Garnet Allison's neighborhood, Brooklyn
- 3
At a dance, Jane contemplates marriage to Josephus Ford
At a dance, Hiram critiques Jane's suitors, especially Josephus Ford, a wealthy real estate developer and attorney. Encouraged by the social pressure, Jane agrees to marry Josephus, setting up an engagement.
When:soon after first meeting Where:Dance hall
- 4
Hiram crashes Jane's engagement party
At Jane's engagement party, Hiram crashes the event, challenging the match and drawing attention to himself. Jane learns that Josephus wants her to sign a prenuptial and expects she be frugal, silent, and matronly.
When:at the engagement party Where:Jane's engagement party
- 5
Jane breaks the engagement and proposes to Hiram
Learning Josephus has invested in a pork-packing plant, Jane breaks off the engagement and rushes to Hiram's home to propose to him. She chooses love and chemistry over money and status.
When:immediately after engagement party Where:Hiram's home
- 6
Jane and Hiram marry
Jane and Hiram marry, and though Hiram's inventions are only marginally profitable, the couple finds happiness together. They start a family and settle into a rhythm of support and affection.
When:shortly after marriage Where:Home
- 7
Birth of Percy
Jane gives birth to a son, Percy, whom Hiram raises with an unusual, freestyle approach to nurture creativity. Jane's encouragement helps Hiram foster Percy's confidence from a young age.
When:soon after marriage Where:Home
- 8
Inventions gain practical success
With Jane's constant encouragement, Hiram's inventions begin to meet real needs and bring in significant income. The couple's fortunes grow as his ideas become more practical.
When:in the years after Percy's birth Where:Home and workshop
- 9
Portrait request and Magel painting
A local organization asks Hiram to sit for a portrait; he refuses, preferring not to be honored. Jane hires eccentric artist Magel to paint the portrait anyway.
When:after Percy’s birth Where:Hiram's home
- 10
The bonnet incident threatens the pregnancy
Percy tries to amuse himself by dressing his dog Skipper in a baby bonnet, prompting a chase that causes Jane to move a piece of furniture. The near-miss endangers her pregnancy.
When:during the pregnancy of their second child Where:Home
- 11
Guilt, fear, and recovery
The physician fears Jane may lose the baby and Percy feels guilty for causing the danger. The threat passes as Jane recovers from the scare.
When:immediately after the incident Where:Home
- 12
Birth of the second son and final portrait
Jane recovers and gives birth to a healthy second son, and the family sits for Magel's portrait, sealing their happiness and success.
When:after recovery Where:Home
Who Are the Main Characters in So Goes My Love?
6 characters, among them Hiram Maxim (Don Ameche), Jane Budden Maxim (Myrna Loy) and Percy Maxim (Bobby Driscoll): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Hiram Maxim (Don Ameche)
Played by Don Ameche
An eccentric inventor who endures public humiliation and grows into a practical, income-generating innovator. His ambition is tempered by collaboration with Jane and a willingness to learn from mistakes. He evolves from a showy tinkerer to a family-centered provider who shapes their future through useful inventions.
- 💡 Inventor
- 🧭 Ambitious
- ❤️ Family-focused
-
Jane Budden Maxim (Myrna Loy)
Played by Myrna Loy
A farmer’s daughter who moves to Brooklyn to seek a life of ease, then discovers deeper partnership and responsibility with Hiram. She navigates social expectations, demonstrates pragmatism in choosing a mate, and grows into a supportive partner for her husband and family. Her journey blends practicality with romantic growth and loyalty to kin.
- 💖 Romantic
- 🧠 Pragmatic
- 👩👧 Independent
-
Percy Maxim (Bobby Driscoll)
Played by Bobby Driscoll
The Maxim’s son, a creative child raised with an unconventional approach to nurture imagination and confidence. He feels guilt after an incident involving his dog and a bonnet, illustrating the tender dynamics of parenting and responsibility. Percy’s growth mirrors the family’s evolving dynamics and their shared goals.
- 🎨 Creative
- 🐶 Dog-lover
- 👶 Family
-
Magel (Rhys Williams)
Played by Rhys Williams
An eccentric artist hired to paint the family portrait, embodying a quirky but perceptive outsider who documents their world. He represents unconventional creativity and provides a unique lens on family life. His presence culminates in a portrait that captures a moment of shared memory for the Maxim family.
- 🎨 Artistic
- 🧭 Observant
- 💫 Quirky
- JF
Josephus Ford (Richard Gaines)
Played by Richard Gaines
A wealthy real estate developer and attorney who embodies social control and financial pragmatism. He pushes for a prenuptial and a conservative lifestyle, serving as a foil to Hiram’s inventive spirit. His investments—and emphasis on money in alliances—highlight the economic pressures around marriage.
- 💼 Rich
- 💵 Pragmatic
- 👔 Power
- GA
Garnet Allison (Molly Lamont)
Played by Molly Lamont
Jane’s cousin and neighbor who anchors part of the Brooklyn setting, helping facilitate Jane’s move and navigate social circles. She represents the family network that shapes decisions and opportunities. Garnet’s presence underscores the influence of kin on romantic and life choices.
- 👨👩👧 Family ties
- 🏡 Cousin
- 🗺️ Brooklyn
Where and When Is So Goes My Love Set?
So Goes My Love is set in Brooklyn and New York (1940s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1940s
Set in the early 1940s urban America, the narrative follows courtship, marriage, and family life in a rapidly modernizing city. The era frames social expectations around money, status, and domestic roles within a contemporary context. Everyday scenes—dances, engagements, and household life—reflect the period's mood before and during the early war years.
Where
Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn, New York is the primary urban setting where Jane relocates to pursue a more comfortable life. The story contrasts rural roots with city society—dance halls, social engagements, and the hustle of a bustling neighborhood. The film uses Brooklyn as a stage for class dynamics and romantic ambitions, shaping the social world the characters navigate.
- 🏙️ Urban
- 🧭 Social milieu
- 🗽 City life
What Are the Themes of So Goes My Love?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love vs Pragmatism, Creativity & Invention and Family & Responsibility.
-
01
Love vs Pragmatism
Jane moves from a pragmatically motivated search for wealth toward discovering a genuine partnership with Hiram. Their relationship evolves as practical concerns intersect with affection and mutual respect. The film explores how love can grow when partners support each other’s ambitions. Ultimately, romance is balanced with responsibility and collaborative growth.
-
02
Creativity & Invention
Hiram's inventive drive fuels the family’s hopes, even through public setbacks. The story highlights perseverance, trial-and-error, and the payoff of turning ideas into useful products. Jane’s encouragement helps transform marginal inventions into practical successes and income. The theme celebrates ingenuity applied to everyday needs.
-
03
Family & Responsibility
Parenthood anchors the plot as Percy’s creativity and the family’s well-being take center stage. The near-miss with Jane’s pregnancy underscores the fragility and importance of care within a growing family. The Maxim household learns to balance ambition with protection, loyalty, and mutual support. The portrait of family life culminates in shared achievement and unity.
What Kind of Film Is So Goes My Love?
Hopeful in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Hopeful
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Low
- Ending
- Happy
A warm and uplifting romantic drama that follows a woman's journey from pragmatic ambition to discovering genuine love, set against a backdrop of gentle humor and familial warmth.
- uplifting
- warm
- heartfelt
- wholesome
- optimistic
- comforting
- unconventional romance
- marriage
- personal growth
- ambition vs love
Quiz
How well do you remember So Goes My Love? Test yourself on the story.
