What Is So This Is New York About?
The premise of So This Is New York in 381 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the wake of World War I, a modest Indiana couple discovers an unexpected windfall that propels them toward a bold new chapter. Ella Finch and her sister Kate Goff are determined to trade the familiar streets of South Bend for the bright lights of New York City, while Ernie Finch wrestles with both skepticism and a fierce protectiveness toward his family. Their decision to uproot is as much about chasing the promise of prosperity as it is about confronting the unknown, setting the stage for a journey that balances optimism with the inevitable doubts that accompany sudden change.
The family’s arrival in Manhattan immerses them in a world that throbs with theatrical glamour and ceaseless motion. Their new apartment overlooks a bustling avenue where Broadway’s neon promises mingle with the clamor of hurried commuters. It is here that they encounter their neighbor, Lucius Trumbull, a affable socialite whose effortless ease within high society offers a tempting glimpse of the lifestyle the sisters hope to claim. The city’s rhythm—simultaneously intoxicating and bewildering—begins to reshape their expectations, compelling each member to reassess what ambition truly means.
Soon the Finches cross paths with a colorful assortment of characters who embody the city’s eclectic spirit. Herbert Daley arrives from the South, bringing with him the allure of race tracks and the possibility of swift elevation within elite circles, while Sid Mercer, his charismatic jockey, exudes a restless energy that mirrors the restless streets outside. In a nearby theatrical hotel they meet Jimmy Ralston, a Ziegfeld Follies star whose dream of serious drama reflects the family’s own yearning to leave a mark beyond mere fortune. These encounters weave a tapestry of opportunity, rivalry, and creative yearning that underscores the peculiar blend of hope and anxiety that newcomers often feel in a metropolis.
Amid the glittering façades and hidden alleyways, the family discovers that New York’s greatest attraction lies not solely in its wealth or fame, but in the constant negotiation between personal desire and collective expectation. The city’s dazzling promise is matched only by its capacity to reveal both the resilience and the vulnerability of those who dare to chase it, leaving the Finches—and the audience—curious about which paths will lead to fulfillment and which will simply echo the endless hum of the city itself.
What Happens in So This Is New York?
The complete story of So This Is New York, from the first scene to the last, in 525 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 7 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
After World War I, Ella Finch Virginia Grey and her sister Kate Goff Dona Drake each inherit $30,000, a windfall that sparks big dreams and bigger plans. Ella, weary of life in South Bend, Indiana, grows determined to find Kate a rich husband in New York City, while Kate’s relationship with Willis Gilbey, her butcher/boyfriend, nudges Ella toward an eastward escapade. Ella’s quick-witted husband, Ernie Finch Henry Morgan, is skeptical but ultimately agrees to tag along, unwilling to let his wife chase a fortune alone.
In bustling New York, the sisters secure a spacious apartment and quickly cross paths with their wealthy neighbor, Lucius Trumbull Hugh Herbert, who cheerfully invites them over for drinks. Ella is delighted by the glittering panorama of high society, while Kate remains wary—Trumbull is nearing retirement, and the allure of a secure, easy life tempts neither of them to slow down. The situation grows more complex when they meet Herbert Daley Rudy Vallee, a Southern gentleman and racehorse owner, and his dashing jockey, Sid Mercer Leo Gorcey. Sid instantly takes a shine to Kate, and for a moment it seems the trio has found a new rhythm in the city’s fast lane.
Daley’s world of racing and prestige feels within reach for Kate, and soon she becomes engaged to him. Yet Sid’s feelings sour as he witnesses the shifting alliances: he suspects Daley of steering the races, and he begins plotting his own revenge. Sid confides in Ernie that there’s a plan to fix the next day’s race, a plan Sid intends to subvert by letting a longshot win. The gambit appears to work until the momentum shifts again, and Daley must run for his life as his fellow conspirators close in. Amid the racing turmoil, Ernie discovers not all is lost—he had already profited from bets on the longshot, a fortune that now complicates the family’s fortunes when he is abruptly fired by his employer, A. J. Gluskoter.
With poverty closing in, the Finches relocate to a seedy theatrical hotel where they meet Jimmy Ralston Bill Goodwin, a Ziegfeld Follies star who longs to write, produce, and perform in a serious play. His bold ambition reignites Ella and Kate’s appetite for risk, and they invest what remains of their inheritance in his project. The gamble pays little at first—the premiere is greeted by jeers from the audience and critics brand it a flop, a crushing stumble for everyone involved. Ernie, however, remains outwardly calm, as he has kept some winnings from the earlier race, and is initially unfazed by the collapse of the show.
Then a turn of fortune arrives when Ella reveals she has not only found Ernie’s stash but invested it as well, tipping the scales back toward possibility. In a second swing of luck, Gluskoter reappears with a change of heart and offers Ernie his old job back, signaling a potential reconciliation of ambitions and fortunes. The chaos of New York gives way to a renewed sense of possibility, and the family ultimately decides to return to South Bend, wiser from the experience and richer in the lessons learned about chance, loyalty, and what truly counts.
So This Is New York Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Inheritance after WWI” to “Gluskoter offers Ernie his job back; return to South Bend”. 13 events name a place, across 2 locations.
- 1
Inheritance after WWI
At the end of World War I, Ella and her sister Kate Goff Finch each inherit $30,000. The windfall opens up new social options and shifts their focus toward marriage prospects in the big city.
When:End of World War I (circa 1918) Where:South Bend, Indiana
- 2
Ella declares discontent and NYC plan
Ella announces dissatisfaction with life in South Bend and vows to find Kate a wealthy husband in New York City. She believes city life holds the key to improved prospects.
Where:South Bend, Indiana
- 3
Ernie reluctantly agrees to accompany
Ernie, Ella's cigar-salesman husband, reluctantly agrees to join the sisters on their eastward venture. He hopes to support Ella while weathering the upheaval.
Where:South Bend, Indiana
- 4
Arrival in New York and new apartment
In New York, the Finches secure a spacious apartment and are introduced to their wealthy neighbor Lucius Trumbull. The upscale environment signals a drastic change from South Bend.
Where:New York City
- 5
Trumbull's invitation and Kate's reservations
Trumbull invites the trio to social gatherings, signaling potential connections, but Kate remains wary because Trumbull is nearing retirement. Ella, however, is thrilled by the prospects.
Where:New York City
- 6
Kate pursues Daley; Sid courts Kate
Kate targets Herbert Daley, a Southern-gentleman racehorse owner, while his jockey Sid Mercer fancies Kate. Daley soon secures an engagement with Kate, complicating Sid's plans.
Where:New York City
- 7
Sid confides in Ernie about a race fix
Sid confides to Ernie that Daley is conspiring to fix the next race, but Sid plans to double-cross his employer by ensuring a longshot wins.
Where:New York City
- 8
The plot Succeeds; Daley on the run
Sid's scheme succeeds, and with the race outcome manipulated, Daley and his conspirators turn to violence as he runs for his life. The plan unravels in a dangerous chase.
Where:New York City
- 9
Ernie profits, then is fired
Ernie profits from the longshot bet but immediately runs into his employer A. J. Gluskoter and is fired. The sudden turn of fortune leaves the Finches precariously positioned.
Where:New York City
- 10
Move to a seedy theater hotel
Forced to move to a seedy theatrical hotel, the Finches meet Ziegfeld Follies star Jimmy Ralston, who dreams of writing a serious play. The new surroundings trap them in a failing world of show business.
Where:New York City
Show the other 3 events of So This Is New York Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Investment in Ralston's play
Ralston reveals his ambition to write, produce, and star in a serious play, and Kate and Ella invest what's left of their inheritance in the project. They hope for cultural and financial redemption.
Where:New York City
- 12
The play's opening night and flop
The play premieres to audience ridicule and critics declare it a flop. The reception underscores the gamble of chasing prestige and the fragility of their plans.
Where:New York City
- 13
Gluskoter offers Ernie his job back; return to South Bend
Gluskoter, showing a change of heart, appears and offers Ernie his job back. With lessons learned, the Finches return to South Bend wiser for the experience.
Where:South Bend, Indiana
Who Are the Main Characters in So This Is New York?
7 characters, among them Ella Finch (Virginia Grey), Kate Goff (Dona Drake) and Ernie Finch (Henry Morgan): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- EF
Ella Finch (Virginia Grey)
Played by Virginia Grey
Ella is restless with provincial life in South Bend and convinced she can secure a rich husband in New York. She is quick-witted, driven, and unapologetic in pursuing a glamorous lifestyle, even when it stirs conflict with her sister. Her optimism often blinds her to risk, but the ordeals in the city eventually temper her ambitions.
- 💼 Social climber
- 🗽 NYC dreamer
- 💬 Optimist
- KG
Kate Goff (Dona Drake)
Played by Dona Drake
Kate is more pragmatic and wary of schemes, yet she sides with Ella in chasing wealth in the Big Apple. She pursues relationships with powerful men as a means to security, balancing ambition with a wary eye on consequences. Her choices drive much of the plot’s tension as they navigate high-society temptations.
- 💎 Wealth seeker
- 🗽 NYC admirer
- 🎯 Ambitious
- EF
Ernie Finch (Henry Morgan)
Played by Henry Morgan
Ernie is a wisecracking cigar salesman whose loyalty to his wife and sisters is tested by the trio’s schemes. He reluctantly joins the journey east and unexpectedly profits from a racing bet, only to face firing when the truth unauthorized by his employer surfaces. Despite his humor, he remains a practical voice amid the city’s chaos.
- 😂 Witty
- 🧭 Grounded
- 💵 Pragmatic
- SM
Sid Mercer (Leo Gorcey)
Played by Leo Gorcey
Sid is a jockey with a quick wit and quicker temper, whose revenge-seeking mind drives him to manipulate a race outcome. He alternates between romance and scheming, shaping the Way the plot unfolds in New York. Sid’s plans ultimately collide with reality, highlighting the peril of treachery.
- 🐎 Jockey
- 🕵️ Schemer
- 🎯 Calculating
- HD
Herbert Daley (Rudy Vallee)
Played by Rudy Vallee
Daley is a Southern gentleman and racehorse owner who becomes entangled with Kate. He enjoys a veneer of wealth and control, but his confluence with Sid’s plot leads him into danger as his fortune hinges on luck and manipulation. His pursuit of status underscores the risks of wealth without scruple.
- 🌿 Southern gentleman
- 🏇 Racing
- 💰 Wealthy
-
Jimmy Ralston (Bill Goodwin)
Played by Bill Goodwin
Jimmy is a Ziegfeld Follies star with artistic ambitions, dreaming of writing and starring in a serious play. He becomes the vehicle through which the sisters invest the remainder of their money, catalyzing the film’s dramatic pivot between failure and renewal. His ambition highlights the tension between art and the city’s cash-driven world.
- 🎭 Entertainer
- 💡 Ambitious
- 📝 Creator
- FG
Francis Griffin (Jerome Cowan)
Played by Jerome Cowan
Francis Griffin appears as a stockbroker figure, embodying the era’s urban greed. He represents the dangerous temptation of unscrupulous financial schemes that the Finches encounter in New York. Griffin’s presence underscores the film’s critique of the wealth-driven city.
- 💼 Greedy
- 🧭 City insider
- 🕵️ Manipulative
Where and When Is So This Is New York Set?
So This Is New York is set in South Bend, Indiana, New York City and New York (Late 1910s to early 1920s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Late 1910s to early 1920s
The narrative unfolds in the immediate post-World War I era, a time of shifting social mores and urban opportunity in the United States. Wealth, quick bets, and show-business glamour define the period's mood and temptations. The setting reflects a transition from provincial life to the fast-paced, risk-filled world of New York.
Where
South Bend, Indiana; New York City, New York
The story begins in South Bend, Indiana, a Midwestern backdrop where Ella feels trapped by provincial life. It then shifts to New York City, a glamorous hub of wealth and social climbing that shapes the sisters’ ambitions. Later, the action touches a seedy theatrical hotel in the city, highlighting the contrast between dreams and reality. The film ends with a return to South Bend, carrying the lessons learned in the big city.
- 🌆 Urban
- 🗽 City life
- 🧭 Cross-country move
What Are the Themes of So This Is New York?
5 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Wealth and Social Mobility, Risk and Deception and Theatrical Ambition.
-
01
Wealth and Social Mobility
Ella and Kate use inheritance as a gateway to social ascent, chasing the security and prestige of wealthy husbands. New York offers dazzling circles, luxury apartments, and the promise of status that draws them in. The pursuit of wealth exposes motives, tests loyalties, and reshapes their sense of self. In the end, the experience leaves them wiser about what true security really means.
-
02
Risk and Deception
The plot centers on gambits and the lure of quick fortune, from race fixing to stockbroker schemes. Sid Mercer toys with fate, planning a longshot win to outsmart his employer and rivals. The Finches’ fortunes wax and wane with every bet and decision, underscoring how appearances can mislead. The unraveling of schemes delivers hard lessons about honesty and consequence.
-
03
Theatrical Ambition
The world of entertainment becomes a stage for ambition, as Jimmy Ralston dreams of writing and producing serious drama beyond vaudeville. Kate and Ella invest in a show, hoping to translate fortune into credibility, only to face public ridicule. The failure of the play reveals the fragility of prestige built on luck. The arc contrasts art, commerce, and personal ambition in a bustling urban setting.
-
04
Homecoming and Resilience
Despite a whirlwind of city life, the story circles back to South Bend, offering a return to roots and family. The sisters’ experiences foster resilience and a tempered view of wealth. Their decision to return signals a balance between aspiration and restraint. The ending suggests that wisdom and kinship provide a steadier foundation than fortune alone.
-
05
Urban Illusion vs. Reality
New York’s glittering facade invites danger and disillusion, exposing the gap between appearance and reality. The characters grapple with glamorous promises that crumble under scrutiny and misfortune. The city serves as both catalyst and teacher, illuminating the costs of chasing status. The film uses urban mirage to critique the allure of rapid success.
What Kind of Film Is So This Is New York?
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 light and hopeful comedy about a family's whirlwind adventure in New York City, filled with get-rich-quick schemes and chaotic misadventures that ultimately lead to a wiser, warmer homecoming.
- hopeful
- energetic
- optimistic
- chaotic
- whimsical
- reflective
- culture shock
- family
- inheritance
- social climbing
Quiz
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