The Mating Game 1959
Directed by
George Marshall
Made by
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
The Mating Game Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Mating Game (1959). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Irritated neighbor Wendell Burnshaw, Philip Ober, draws the Larkin family into the orbit of the Internal Revenue Service. Lorenzo Charlton, Tony Randall, is assigned to the case by his boss, Oliver Kelsey, Fred Clark. Ma Larkin, Una Merkel, and Pop Larkin warmly welcome him to their Maryland farm, initially unaware of the reason for his visit.
The moment Lorenzo digs deeper, the truth emerges: the Larkins have never filed a tax return. With their cooperation, he sets out to determine what, if anything, they owe in back taxes. The challenge is formidable, because Pop trades for what they need and keeps no records, leaving a sparse paper trail and a stubbornly simple way of life that resists formal accounting. Yet there’s a quiet honesty in their conversations, and Lorenzo slowly begins to see the human side of a family who value independence and community as much as they value their land.
Lorenzo’s professional resolve weakens a little as a spark grows between him and Mariette Larkin, Debbie Reynolds. The eldest daughter’s warmth and wit soften the investigator’s rigid posture, and the two characters start to connect in a way that transcends forms and figures. At first, Lorenzo tries to keep romance separate from duty, but the Larkins’ hospitality and Mariette’s steady presence nudge him toward a more compassionate approach. Pop even nudges him toward letting go a bit of his stern exterior, sharing a drink and a laugh that mark a subtle turning point in his outlook.
When Kelsey and Burnshaw come by again to check progress, the mood shifts from cautious inquiry to mounting pressure. The case intensifies as Kelsey’s irritation grows, and he makes it clear that progress must be accelerated. The tension peaks as Lorenzo is briefly sent back to the office in disgrace, and the case moves from a routine audit into a public, high-stakes dispute over a family’s future and their beloved farm.
The financial math becomes the turning point: the Larkins are deemed to owe about $50,000, a sum far beyond what they can pay. The prospect of foreclosure looms large, and even the Larkins’ many friends rally to help, offering to buy some of their junk at inflated prices to keep the farm afloat. Pop resists this pressure, preferring not to profit from desperation or bend the truth to save the day.
Mariette visits Lorenzo to plead for a chance—and the family’s only real hope rests on a Civil War-era receipt for 30 horses purchased by the government and never paid for. The path forward leads them to Inspector General Bigelow, Charles Lane, whose legal department calculates that the Larkins are owed a substantial, growing sum with interest—roughly $14 million. Pop rejects accepting such a windfall on moral grounds, but Lorenzo convinces Bigelow’s office to apply the windfall against all present and future taxes owed, altering the ledger in a way that could save the farm.
In the end, the Larkins secure a lifeline that blends gratitude, duty, and a renewed sense of community. The story closes on a note of practical resilience: justice and generosity intertwine to protect a family’s home and the land they love, while the relationships forged—between Lorenzo and Mariette, between the Larkins and their neighbors, and between duty and compassion—leave a richer harvest than any fiscal windfall could provide.
The Mating Game Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of The Mating Game (1959) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
IRS alert prompts formal inquiry
Wendell Burnshaw alerts the Internal Revenue Service to the Larkin family. Lorenzo Charlton is assigned to the case by his boss Oliver Kelsey. The Larkins learn they are now under government scrutiny as the investigation begins.
Lorenzo arrives at the Larkin farm
Lorenzo travels to the Larkin family farm in Maryland and is warmly welcomed by Ma and Pop, who are unaware of the real reason for his visit. The meeting marks the uneasy start of their working relationship. The family hopes for a quick, informal resolution, even as the inquiry unfolds.
Discovery that no tax returns have been filed
Lorenzo learns that the Larkins have never filed a tax return. The lack of records makes determining back taxes a difficult task. The family cooperates with him in hopes of finding a way forward.
Cooperation reveals lifestyle and record-keeping gaps
The Larkins typically trade for what they need and maintain few, if any, financial records. Lorenzo begins gathering whatever information is available while trying to understand their way of life. The situation tests both sides’ patience and resourcefulness.
Lorenzo and Mariette's budding attraction
Lorenzo and Mariette, the eldest Larkin daughter, begin to develop feelings for each other. He tries to stay focused on the case, but the romance slowly softens his formerly buttoned-down demeanor. The personal tension intersects with the professional investigation.
Lorenzo loosens up after Pop's prompting
As time passes, Pop encourages Lorenzo to relax and even drink a strong alcoholic beverage. Lorenzo's rigid demeanor loosens, affecting his professional focus. Burnshaw and Kelsey notice the change and react with concern.
Burnshaw and Kelsey intervene
Burnshaw and Kelsey drop by to check progress, and Kelsey becomes displeased with Lorenzo's loosened attitude. He takes charge of the investigation and calls for Lorenzo to return to the IRS office in disgrace. The setback complicates the case but does not end it.
The debt estimate climbs to 50,000
Kelsey calculates that the Larkins owe $50,000, a sum the family cannot pay. He presents the ultimatum: sell the farm to Burnshaw or face foreclosure. The Larkins’ friends rally to help, but Pop refuses to let them exploit the situation.
Friends offer inflated junk purchases; Pop declines
The Larkins' community rallies around them, offering to buy some of their junk at inflated prices to cover the back taxes. Pop refuses to accept the offer, valuing his family’s independence over a rushed cash infusion. This moment underscores the family's pride and solidarity.
Mariette seeks Lorenzo; Civil War receipt idea arises
Mariette visits Lorenzo seeking a solution and a glimmer of hope through a government receipt for 30 Civil War horses bought and never paid for. The possibility links their present crisis to a long-ago government transaction. The visit deepens the personal stakes of the case.
Inspector General Bigelow weighs in
Inspector General Bigelow's legal department determines that the Larkins are owed more than 14 million dollars, including interest. The news shocks the family and Lorenzo as they realize the potential scale of the restitution. Pop wrestles with whether to accept a windfall earned by others’ purchases.
Lorenzo persuades applying the windfall to future taxes
Lorenzo convinces Bigelow to apply the 14-million-dollar amount against present and future taxes owed, rather than issuing a cash payout. Pop initially resists, feeling he did nothing to earn the money, but a path forward emerges. The shift reframes the case from payment to ongoing relief.
The new tax plan shifts the family's burden
The government’s plan to apply the windfall to future taxes reduces immediate debt and foreclosures. The Larkins rally around the decision, seeing a route to keep the farm. Lorenzo’s role as intermediary between duty and mercy becomes clearer.
Resolution and renewed hope
The case resolves with the windfall applied to ongoing tax liabilities, preventing foreclosure and acknowledging the Larkins’ generosity. Lorenzo maintains his professional integrity as the community supports them. The film closes on a hopeful note about duty, mercy, and family.
Final note on balance between law and compassion
The Larkins’ story ends with a practical compromise that respects the law while recognizing the family’s character. The tax authorities’ decision to apply the back-due amount to future liabilities stands as the film’s final note. The Larkins’ farm remains a symbol of community support.
The Mating Game Characters
Explore all characters from The Mating Game (1959). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Mariette Larkin (Debbie Reynolds)
The eldest Larkin daughter, warm and practical, she anchors the family with optimism and resilience. She becomes the bridge between the Larkins and Lorenzo, coordinating help while resisting pressure to abandon the farm. Her evolving romance with Lorenzo challenges her sense of duty and loyalty to her family.
Lorenzo Charlton (Tony Randall)
An IRS inspector assigned to the case, he starts as a by-the-book, buttoned-up agent. Over time, he relaxes his rigid stance and allows empathy to influence his judgments. His attraction to Mariette complicates his mission while highlighting the tension between duty and personal connection.
Pop Larkin
The patriarch of the Larkin family, proud and stubborn, he refuses to sell the farm and values his independence. He publicly rejects inflated offers from neighbors and stays steadfast in his principles. His warmth and stubborn pride drive the family’s moral stance throughout the crisis.
Ma Larkin
The matriarch who keeps the family together with practical care and steady humor. She supports her husband and children, navigating social pressures with quiet resilience. Her presence embodies the heart of the family’s enduring unity.
Oliver Kelsey
The IRS supervisor who pushes the investigation and pushes for foreclosure when necessary. He embodies bureaucratic urgency and a stark approach to fiscal accountability. His stern demeanor contrasts with the Larkins’ warmth and resilience.
Inspector General Bigelow
Legal authority overseeing the Larkin case, he ultimately facilitates a re-interpretation of the owed amount. He represents the system’s capacity for reconsideration when guided by proper legal channels. His involvement is pivotal to turning the crisis into a fair settlement.
The Mating Game Settings
Learn where and when The Mating Game (1959) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
Mid-1950s
Set in the mid-1950s America, a postwar era of rising bureaucratic reach into small-town life. Rural communities balance tradition with new financial scrutiny as government agencies pursue back taxes. The period mood informs how characters respond to authority and press for fair outcomes.
Location
Larkin family farm, Maryland
The story unfolds on a family farm in rural Maryland. The Larkins live a simple, self-sufficient life with little paper trail, highlighting their independence and pride. The scenic farm setting underlines the community-centric world where neighbors rally to help in times of trouble.
The Mating Game Themes
Discover the main themes in The Mating Game (1959). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Romance
A romance develops between Mariette and Lorenzo amid the tax investigation. Their chemistry challenges Lorenzo’s rigid professionalism and gradually softens his outlook. The relationship adds human stakes to the bureaucratic process, showing how personal connections can influence outcomes.
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Taxes
The central conflict revolves around back taxes the Larkins allegedly owe and the government’s demand to settle them. The story follows the audit, the farm’s financial vulnerability, and the community’s push to help without compromising dignity. In the end, a legal resolution uses a long-owed Civil War purchase to offset present and future taxes.
The Mating Game Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Mating Game (1959). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the rolling fields of Maryland, a modest farm rises amid hay‑stacks and the slow rhythm of a self‑sufficient community. The land is tended by a family whose lives are measured in seasons rather than ledgers, and the quiet charm of the countryside is punctuated by the occasional rumble of government bureaucracy. The atmosphere blends gentle humor with a touch of wistful nostalgia, inviting the viewer to linger in a world where simple pleasures clash with the demands of the wider world.
Lorenzo Charlton arrives in a crisp suit, a tax collector dispatched by the Internal Revenue Service to spend a full day on the Larkins’ property. Sent by his supervisor Oliver Kelsey, he is tasked with evaluating the farm’s earnings and determining what, if anything, is owed to the Treasury. His professional demeanor is precise and methodical, embodying the orderly, rule‑bound mindset of an urban auditor placed in an unfamiliar rural landscape.
The Larkin household greets him with open arms. Pop Larkin, a straightforward farmer who trades for his needs, offers hospitality without fully understanding the purpose of the visit, while Ma Larkin tends the house with a warm, unpretentious generosity. Their eldest daughter, Mariette Larkin, radiates a lively wit and effortless beauty that subtly redirects Lorenzo’s focus from spreadsheets to conversation. A playful tension brews as his initial resolve meets the lure of the family’s easygoing spirit, hinting at a personal conflict between duty and attraction.
Meanwhile, neighbors such as Wendell Burnshaw keep a watchful eye, and the ever‑present pressure from the tax office looms in the background. The film balances light‑hearted romance with the quiet drama of an outsider navigating a close‑knit community, promising a story where official forms meet heartfelt humanity in an unexpected, endearing dance.
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