What Is That Certain Woman About?
The premise of That Certain Woman in 250 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
Mary Donnell enters the story bearing the weight of a past that society refuses to let her forget. As the widow of a bootlegger killed under violent circumstances, she carries a stigma that colors every interaction — a mark of judgment from a world quick to condemn but slow to understand. Naive yet resilient, she takes a position as secretary to the married attorney Lloyd Rogers, a man who recognizes her worth even as he conceals his own growing feelings beneath a veil of professional propriety.
Into this fragile equilibrium walks Jack V. Merrick Jr., the charismatic playboy son of a wealthy client, whose world of privilege and ease seems impossibly distant from Mary’s own struggles. His attention offers a glimpse of something Mary has long been denied: the possibility of love unburdened by shame. Yet the elder Jack V. Merrick Sr. watches with disapproval, prepared to defend the boundaries of class and reputation against any perceived threat to his family’s standing.
Set against a landscape of rigid social hierarchies and whispered judgments, the film traces one woman’s determination to reclaim her life from the shadows of her past. Every relationship carries its own complications, and every choice invites scrutiny — from employers, from society, from those who believe they understand who she is and what she deserves. The tension between personal desire and public perception builds steadily, promising a story where hearts hang in the balance and the cost of following one’s heart may prove higher than anyone anticipates.
What Happens in That Certain Woman?
The complete story of That Certain Woman, from the first scene to the last, in 267 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Mary Donnell is a naive young woman married to Al Haines, a bootlegger who is killed during the St. Valentine’s Day massacre. To support herself, she takes a job as a secretary to married attorney Lloyd Rogers, who is attracted to her but keeps his feelings secret.
Jack V. Merrick Jr., the playboy son of a wealthy client, elopes with Mary, but his disapproving father Jack V. Merrick Sr. interferes and has the marriage annulled. Soon after, Mary discovers that she is pregnant and decides to have the child without informing Jack.
Jack later marries Florence “Flip” Carson Merrick, a woman of his own social class, who is later crippled in an automobile accident. Mary returns to working for Lloyd.
Lloyd dies several years later at Mary’s apartment, leaving the bulk of his estate to Mary. A press uproar ensues that exposes information about Mary’s past. Jack appears and offers to adopt Mary’s son, and he discovers that he is the boy’s father. Lloyd’s wife, believing that Mary’s son is her husband’s illegitimate child, attempts to overturn the will.
When the elder Merrick learns that the boy is his grandson, the family sues to have Mary declared unfit and the child removed from her custody. Jack is furious and argues all night with his father. Florence visits Mary the next morning and, to her surprise, Mary finds Florence kind and sympathetic. Mary insists that Jack stay with Florence and allows Jack and Florence to have the child. Mary leaves for Europe. When Florence later dies, Jack locates Mary and proclaims that he is coming to join her.
That Certain Woman Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Widowhood at the St. Valentine's Day Massacre” to “Florence dies; Jack locates Mary and vows to join her”. 15 events name a place, across 7 locations.
- 1
Widowhood at the St. Valentine's Day Massacre
Mary Donnell is widowed when her bootlegger husband Al Haines is killed during the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago. The brutal shootout leaves her to face the aftermath alone and forces quick adjustments to a dangerous, law-tinged world. This event sets Mary on a precarious path that shapes the rest of her life.
When:February 14, 1929 Where:Chicago
- 2
Mary begins working for Lloyd Rogers
To support herself, Mary takes a job as secretary to the married attorney Lloyd Rogers. Lloyd is secretly attracted to Mary, but he keeps his feelings hidden, creating unspoken tension between them. The arrangement anchors Mary in a new social circle with looming complications.
When:late 1920s Where:Chicago
- 3
Mary and Jack elope; annulment
Jack Merrick Jr., a playboy son of a wealthy client, elopes with Mary. His disapproving father intervenes and has the marriage annulled, forcing the couple apart. The annulment leaves Mary with a stubborn secret and a future shaped by social expectations.
When:early 1930s Where:Chicago
- 4
Mary discovers she is pregnant
Mary learns she is pregnant and decides to have the child without informing Jack. She contemplates the consequences of sharing the news given Jack’s annulled marriage and their separate lives. The pregnancy becomes a quiet, defining stake in her future.
When:shortly after annulment Where:Mary's apartment
- 5
Jack marries Florence Carson; Florence is crippled
Jack marries Florence Carson, a woman from his social circle, seeking to maintain his status. Not long after, Florence is crippled in an automobile accident, altering the dynamics of their relationship. This turn of events forces Jack to navigate duty and affection in a different light.
When:early 1930s Where:Chicago (high society)
- 6
Mary returns to Lloyd Rogers' firm
Mary returns to working for Lloyd after the social upheaval around her past. The renewed professional tie complicates loyalties and hints at a potential settlement of old emotions. Mary’s life becomes entangled again with the man who has long desired her, though nothing is openly stated.
When:1930s Where:Chicago
- 7
Lloyd’s death and the will
Lloyd dies several years later at Mary’s apartment, and his will leaves the bulk of his estate to Mary. The unexpected fortune intensifies attention on Mary’s past and status. The death triggers social and legal scrutiny surrounding the will and custody.
When:mid-1930s Where:Mary's apartment
- 8
Press uproar exposes Mary's past
A press uproar erupts, exposing information about Mary’s past and threatening the stability of the newly acquired estate. Public scrutiny complicates the relationships around her and tests her resolve. The scandal sets up the next battles over the will and custody.
When:mid-1930s Where:City press
- 9
Jack offers to adopt the son; discovers paternity
Jack reappears and offers to adopt Mary’s son, only to discover that he is the boy’s father. This revelation binds Jack’s fate to Mary and the child in a way the past never did. The new paternity reshapes loyalties and future plans.
When:mid-1930s Where:Mary's apartment
- 10
Lloyd's wife challenges the will
Lloyd’s wife believes the child is her husband’s illegitimate offspring and moves to overturn the will. Her challenge heightens the fight over Mary’s status and the boy’s future. The legal contest becomes a central battleground for all involved.
When:mid-1930s Where:Lloyd Rogers' home / estate
Show the other 5 events of That Certain Woman Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Jack’s father sues to declare Mary unfit
When Jack’s father learns the boy is his grandson, he initiates proceedings to have Mary declared unfit and to remove the child. The confrontation pits generations and tests Jack’s loyalties. The pressure from the pursuit of custody drives the family toward a fragile compromise.
When:late 1930s Where:Merrick family estate
- 12
All-night argument unfolds
Jack and his father argue all night about the child’s future, exposing stubbornness and conflicting rights. The next day Mary must confront the fallout of the argument as she weighs her own position. The scene heightens the emotional stakes before Florence’s later intervention.
When:night Where:Merrick family estate
- 13
Florence visits Mary; a tentative compromise
The morning after, Florence visits Mary and proves kind and sympathetic. Mary insists that Jack stay with Florence and allows them to have the child, choosing a practical path through the custody fight. The episode signals a tentative reconciliation and a shift toward cooperation.
When:the morning after the argument Where:Mary's apartment
- 14
Mary leaves for Europe
Mary leaves for Europe to start anew, seeking distance from the scandal and a chance at a different life. The journey marks a new chapter for her, free from the legal battles that dominated her years before.
When:after Florence's visit Where:Europe
- 15
Florence dies; Jack locates Mary and vows to join her
Florence dies, and later Jack locates Mary across the ocean, proclaiming that he is coming to join her. The reunion promise suggests the possibility of a future together despite the years of turmoil. The film closes on a note of hopeful return.
When:after Florence’s death Where:Europe
Who Are the Main Characters in That Certain Woman?
7 characters, among them Mary Donnell / Mme Al Haines, Jack V. Merrick Jr. and Florence 'Flip' Carson Merrick: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Mary Donnell / Mme Al Haines
Played by Bette Davis
A naive yet resilient woman who navigates marriage to a bootlegger, a tumultuous social circle, and motherhood. She endures public scrutiny while safeguarding her child’s future, ultimately choosing independence over scandal. Her arc centers on moral complexity, sacrifice, and the pursuit of stability for her family.
- 💖 Romance
- 👩👧👦 Motherhood
- ⚖️ Morality
- 🕊️ Resilience
-
Jack V. Merrick Jr.
Played by Henry Fonda
The playboy son whose elopement with Mary is thwarted by his disapproving father. He embodies privilege and desire, and his actions with respect to Mary’s child reveal a conflict between personal happiness and family duty. His eventual involvement signals a bridge between different social worlds.
- 💘 Romance
- 🏛️ Privilege
- 🗝️ Family
- F'
Florence 'Flip' Carson Merrick
Played by Anita Louise
Jack’s wife from a similar social class, who becomes crippled in an automobile accident and later shows kindness to Mary. Her presence frames class expectations and the possibility of genuine support amid tragedy. She represents a complicated ally rather than a simple antagonist.
- 💼 Class
- 💔 Love
- 🤝 Alliance
- LR
Lloyd Rogers
Played by Ian Hunter
Married attorney who is secretly attracted to Mary. He dies years later, leaving Mary the bulk of his estate, which triggers a media scandal and legal maneuvering. His death catalyzes the custody drama and the uncovering of past relationships.
- ⚖️ Lawyer
- 💼 Wealth
- 🕵️♂️ Mystery
-
Jack V. Merrick Sr.
Played by Donald Crisp
The wealthy patriarch who distrusts Mary and seeks to control the estate and the child’s future. His conflict with the rest of the family drives the custody battle and public controversy. He represents aristocratic authority and its limits.
- 🏛️ Patriarch
- 🗝️ Power
- ⚖️ Law
- ML
Mme Lloyd Rogers
Played by Katharine Alexander
Lloyd’s wife, a figure of high social standing who becomes entangled in the inheritance dispute. She offers a pragmatic counterpoint to Mary’s maternal resolve. Her presence reflects the complexities of marriage and social reputation.
- 💍 Wife
- 🏛️ Aristocracy
- 🕊️ Complexity
- DL
Detective Lieutenant Neely
Played by Sidney Toler
A press-connected investigator who threads through the plot as scandals erupt and the past is probed. He embodies the law’s gaze on Mary’s circumstances and the public’s interest in the affair and will.
- 🕵️♂️ Investigator
- ⚖️ Law
- 🗞️ Media
Where and When Is That Certain Woman Set?
That Certain Woman is set in Chicago and Europe (Late 1920s to early 1930s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Late 1920s to early 1930s
The story unfolds during the late Prohibition era, a time of organized crime and underground liquor trade. The social expectations of wealth and marriage collide with Mary’s choices as the men around her wield power. The events span several years, from Mary’s early marriage through the later custody and inheritance drama.
Where
Chicago, Europe
The primary setting is Chicago during the Prohibition era, a city infamous for bootlegging and gang violence. The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and the world of crime provide the backdrop to Mary Donnell’s life as she navigates marriage, scandal, and social ambition. Later, parts of the story move to Europe as Mary seeks a fresh start away from American scandal.
- 🏙️ City life
- 🕰️ Prohibition era
What Are the Themes of That Certain Woman?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Romance & Duty, Society & Scandal and Independence & Forgiveness.
-
01
Romance & Duty
Mary’s relationships with Jack and Lloyd pull her between love, social obligation, and personal responsibility. The marriage to Jack is challenged by class differences and parental control, while Lloyd’s secret affections complicate a life of professional ambition. The drama tests what love means when family reputation is at stake.
-
02
Society & Scandal
The plot revolves around wealth, inheritance, and public judgment, with the press exposing Mary’s past. The Merrick family’s power struggles and the threat of losing the child heighten the moral stakes. Propriety clashes with personal choice, driving characters to justify or conceal their actions.
-
03
Independence & Forgiveness
Mary asserts agency by choosing to raise her child despite stigma and family opposition. The story moves toward reconciliation as Jack and Mary confront their shared past and adoptive responsibilities. Forgiveness becomes a path to a quieter happiness as Mary leaves for Europe and later is sought by Jack.
What Kind of Film Is That Certain Woman?
Melancholic in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Melancholic
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A steady-paced, melancholic drama about a woman navigating societal scorn and personal sacrifice as she fights for love and her child against the rigid expectations of high society.
- melancholic
- tragic
- desperate
- romantic longing
- social conflict
- resigned
- forbidden love
- social class divide
- single motherhood
- parenthood
Content notes: death of spouse, custody battle, social ostracism.
Quiz
How well do you remember That Certain Woman? Test yourself on the story.
