What Is That Funny Feeling About?
The premise of That Funny Feeling in 283 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bustling landscape of New York City, Joan Howell navigates the gap between her dreams and her daily reality with a hopeful spirit. An aspiring actress waiting for her big break, she supports herself working as a maid-for-hire, spending her days in the opulent homes of the wealthy before returning to her own cramped, modest apartment. It is a life of stark contrasts, defined by the glamour she observes and the simplicity she lives, a duality that sets the stage for a story where appearances are everything and identity is a fluid concept.
Her routine takes a turn when she repeatedly crosses paths with Tom Milford, a successful publishing executive renowned for his charm and business acumen. Despite their different worlds, a spark ignites between them, leading to a budding romance that makes Joan acutely aware of the divide between her financial reality and Tom’s polished lifestyle. Unwilling to let her humble surroundings dampen the connection, she attempts to curate a more impressive version of herself, hoping to bridge the gap between who she is and who she thinks he wants her to be.
The situation crescendos into a delightful farce when Joan invites Tom to dinner at a lavish apartment she cleans daily, pretending the luxurious space is her own. What she doesn’t realize is that the apartment actually belongs to Tom, placing him in the awkward position of being welcomed into his own home by a woman he believes is something she isn’t. As Tom decides to play along with the ruse, the apartment becomes a stage for escalating misunderstandings and witty deception, turning a simple date into a complex game where the biggest secret is hiding in plain sight.
What Happens in That Funny Feeling?
The complete story of That Funny Feeling, from the first scene to the last, in 392 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Joan Howell Sandra Dee is an aspiring actress who, for the moment, works as a maid. She shares a modest home with her friend Audrey Nita Talbot, also chasing a break in acting, and the two dream of bigger chances while navigating audition rooms, squeaky apartments, and the slow grind of small-scale gigs.
On three separate encounters, she keeps crossing paths with Tom Milford Bobby Darin, a successful publishing executive renowned for his charm and his penchant for womanizing. By the third meeting, Tom asks her for a date, and the idea of a brighter life begins to tempt Joan, even as a trace of nerves lingers about the risk of getting caught up in a fantasy she’s not sure she can sustain.
To make a memorable impression, Joan invites him to the lavish apartment of one of her clients—whom she believes is out of town for a couple of weeks—pretending that the place belongs to her. What she doesn’t know is that the apartment actually belongs to Tom, and his surprise at being welcomed into his own home is the spark that sets the farce in motion.
To test how far she’s willing to go, Tom moves in with his pal Harvey Granson Donald O’Connor and humors the ruse, even as Harvey deals with his own concerns about an acrimonious divorce and a stash of property he’s supposedly hiding from his wife at Tom’s place. The arrangement threads together Tom’s vanity, Joan’s longing, and Harvey’s wary pragmatism, turning the apartment into a stage for witty deceit and escalating misunderstandings.
When Joan finally learns the full truth, she decides to trigger a counterplay that puts Tom on the back foot: she invites all of Tom’s previous conquests—dressed as prostitutes—to a party at the very apartment that started as a lie. The plan ignites a chaotic night, culminating in a police raid that exposes the impostures and the fragility of the farce.
In the aftermath, the tension between fantasy and reality comes to a head. On the ride to the station in a police van, Tom unexpectedly proposes to Joan, turning a chaotic scheme into a complicated, bittersweet moment. At the same time, Audrey flirts with a receptive Harvey, adding a final twist to this tangled web of flirtations, pretenses, and consequences that tests loyalty, ambition, and the price of living out loud.
That Funny Feeling Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Joan's humble life and acting dream” to “Audrey flirts with Harvey”. 8 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Joan's humble life and acting dream
Joan Howell works as a maid while quietly pursuing an acting career. She shares a modest home with her aspiring-actress friend Audrey. The setup contrasts her simple world with the glamorous circles Tom inhabits.
- 2
First chance encounter with Tom Milford
Joan and Tom bump into each other for the first time, sparking a curious, uneasy chemistry. Tom, a successful publishing executive and notorious womanizer, is intrigued by Joan's plain-spoken charm. Their initial meeting hints at a clash of worlds that will soon collide.
- 3
Second encounter and growing tension
They cross paths again in a second chance encounter, planting seeds of ongoing tension and attraction. Tom's interest deepens as Joan remains witty and guarded. The repeated meetings set the stage for a more serious dynamic.
- 4
Third bump leads to a date
On their third encounter, Tom asks Joan for a date, signaling clear romantic interest. Joan is flattered but cautious, balancing her own ambitions with the risk of exposure. This moment marks a turning point in their uneasy dynamic.
- 5
Joan invites Tom to a client's lavish apartment
To impress him, Joan invites Tom to a lavish apartment belonging to one of her clients, convinced the place is unoccupied. The invitation is a calculated move to show off a life she doesn't truly own. The plan hinges on Tom assuming the apartment is hers to use.
Where:Client's lavish apartment
- 6
Reality check: the apartment is Tom's
Tom arrives at the apartment and is stunned to realize the space is actually his own. The deception backfires, and Joan realizes the situation has unintended consequences. This revelation shifts the power balance between them.
Where:Tom's apartment
- 7
Tom moves in with Harvey to maintain the ruse
To keep up the deception and avoid exposure, Tom moves in with his friend Harvey. Harvey, who is dealing with an acrimonious divorce, is wary of Joan and the arrangement. The living situation tightens the web of lies around their mutual games.
Where:Harvey's place
- 8
Joan discovers truth and plots revenge
Once Joan learns the apartment is Tom's, she decides to turn the tables. She contrives a party and invites all of Tom's former conquests, dressing them as prostitutes to shock him. The setup is meant to humiliate Tom and expose his pattern of womanizing.
Where:Joan's plan / party setup
- 9
The revenge party unfolds
Guests arrive at a party where Tom's former conquests appear in disguises, creating chaos and embarrassment. The spectacle underscores the clash between Joan's cunning and Tom's cavalier attitude toward relationships. The room fills with tension as the truth about Tom surfaces.
Where:Party venue
- 10
Police raid interrupts the party
The party triggers a police raid, bringing the chaotic night to a sudden halt. Officers escort guests out and take statements, turning the event into a public embarrassment. The raid escalates the already mounting pressure on both Joan and Tom.
Where:Party venue
- 11
In the police van, Tom proposes to Joan
On the way to the station, Tom unexpectedly proposes to Joan, showing a complicated mix of affection and resentment. The moment mixes romance with residual anger and confusion. It marks a bizarre turning point as their relationship is tested under legal pressure.
When:on the way to the station Where:police van
- 12
Audrey flirts with Harvey
In the tense aftermath of the raid, Audrey flirts with Harvey, providing a lighter counterpoint to the tense sequence. The flirtation hints at new or rekindled liaisons amid the night’s chaos. The scene closes with unresolved feelings and a sense that circumstances may push the pair toward different paths.
When:on the way to the station Where:police van
Who Are the Main Characters in That Funny Feeling?
4 characters, among them Joan Howell (Sandra Dee), Tom Milford (Bobby Darin) and Harvey Granson (Donald O'Connor): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- JH
Joan Howell (Sandra Dee)
Played by Sandra Dee
Joan is an empathetic aspiring actress who works as a maid. She is bold and impulsive, using a series of bold ruses to get ahead, yet her schemes reveal vulnerability and a longing for belonging. Her cleverness sometimes backfires, forcing her to navigate the consequences of deception with wit.
- 💃 Romance
- 🧠 Witty
- 😂 Comedic
- 💼 Aspiration
- TM
Tom Milford (Bobby Darin)
Played by Bobby Darin
Tom is a successful publishing executive and known womanizer. He enjoys scheming but is also quick-witted and charming, which makes him both alluring and dangerous as he indulges in the game. His perception shifts as the deceit escalates, and he is forced to confront his own vulnerability.
- 💼 Career
- 💘 Romance
- 😎 Charismatic
- HG
Harvey Granson (Donald O'Connor)
Played by Donald O'Connor
Harvey is Tom’s friend who has his own concerns about his acrimonious divorce and a property he’s hiding. He provides practical counterpoints to the schemes and adds a dose of comedic relief, while participating in the plan out of loyalty to Tom.
- 🧩 Loyal
- 😂 Comic
- 🗝️ Secretive
- A(
Audrey (Nita Talbot)
Played by Nita Talbot
Audrey is Joan’s aspiring-actress friend who slips into the plot’s ruses with flirtatious energy. She adds a playful, flirty dynamic and becomes a partner in the social game, contributing to the comedic chaos.
- 💃 Social
- 🎭 Playful
- 🕵️ Curious
Where and When Is That Funny Feeling Set?
That Funny Feeling is set in Upscale apartment and Police station (1960s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1960s
The story unfolds in a mid-1960s urban setting, reflecting contemporary fashion and social mores. The humor relies on modern dating, mistaken identities, and the stylish, fast-paced life of a publishing executive and aspiring actress. The tone is light-hearted and farcical, focusing on witty banter and stylish interiors rather than historical events.
Where
Upscale apartment, Police station
The main action centers around a luxurious apartment where a pretend residence leads to a night of revelry. The setting contrasts opulent interiors with deceit driving the plot, including a high-society party that culminates in a police raid. A police van and nearby station provide comedic contrast to the glamour on display. The spaces reflect the contrast between appearances and reality that drives the story.
- 🏢 Wealthy setting
- 🎉 Social life
- 🚓 Police raid
What Are the Themes of That Funny Feeling?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Deception, Romance and consequences and Class and aspiration.
-
01
Deception
A web of lies props up the plot as Joan pretends to own an apartment to impress Tom, highlighting how deception fuels romance and social ambition. Each ruse escalates the stakes, driving farcical complications that threaten to unravel. The film uses humor to explore the blurry line between performance and reality in relationships.
-
02
Romance and consequences
Romantic attraction alongside deceit creates tension as characters test boundaries and trust. Witty dialogue and farce propel the plot, showing how desire can trigger risky choices. The payoff hints at genuine feeling emerging from a tangle of schemes.
-
03
Class and aspiration
Joan’s modest home versus the world of wealth reveals class tensions and the cost of social climbing. The film satirizes status symbols and access to glamorous spaces, using humor to critique appearances. The resolution suggests authenticity may trump appearance in the end.
What Kind of Film Is That Funny Feeling?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Low
- Ending
- Happy
A charming and playful romantic comedy fueled by mutual deception, leading to lighthearted chaos and culminating in a sweet, unexpected proposal.
- whimsical
- charming
- playful
- romantic
- deceptive
- mischievous
- mistaken identity
- class differences
- romantic comedy
- deception
Quiz
How well do you remember That Funny Feeling? Test yourself on the story.
