What Is The Very Thought of You About?
The premise of The Very Thought of You in 295 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bright, sun‑kissed streets of wartime Pasadena, two Army sergeants on a brief three‑day leave return to a world that feels both familiar and strangely altered. Dave carries the weary confidence of a soldier fresh from the Aleutian campaign, while his quick‑witted companion Fixit balances duty with a dry sense of humor. Their reunion with the city is marked by a stop at Dave’s old college, a quiet reminder of pre‑war normalcy before duty calls them onward.
Amid the clatter of a bustling parachute factory, they cross paths with two young women whose lives are intertwined with the home‑front effort. Cora exudes a blend of charm and grit that immediately catches Fixit’s eye, while Janet recognizes a comforting familiarity in Dave, recalling days spent together in school. Their chance meeting sparks a series of light‑hearted mishaps and affectionate moments that linger far beyond a simple greeting.
The backdrop of Thanksgiving adds a warm, communal layer to the unfolding connections. Mrs. Harriet Wheeler, the matriarch of Janet’s family, watches the newcomers with cautious hospitality, her reservations hinting at the broader anxieties of a nation at war. Molly, Janet’s sister, navigates her own marriage and the pull of loyalty, offering a subtle counterpoint to the blossoming romance. The Wheeler household, with its blend of warmth and understated tension, provides a gentle stage for the sergeants to glimpse a life that might exist beyond the front lines.
The film’s tone balances the wistful nostalgia of returning home with the playful, breezy energy of a fleeting romance. Through witty dialogue, modest set‑pieces, and the ever‑present hum of wartime industry, the story invites the audience to savor the fleeting intimacy of a brief pause in a larger conflict, leaving the possibilities of the future humming just out of reach.
What Happens in The Very Thought of You?
The complete story of The Very Thought of You, from the first scene to the last, in 668 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Dave, [Dennis Morgan], and his buddy ‘Fixit’, [Dane Clark], return home after three grueling years in the Aleutian campaign, a stretch of cold storage and peril that has kept them close through war and fatigue. Their homecoming unfolds as a Thanksgiving pass in Pasadena, a brief lull before they’re whisked away again to new duties in the vast Pacific theater. They make a stop at Dave’s alma mater, Caltech, a small beacon of memory and normalcy amid the ongoing conflict, before their orders pull them toward the next horizon. The reunion feels urgent, the air thick with unspoken longing and the quiet fear that this peace might be as fragile as it is precious.
On the ground, two young women become a part of their lives in unexpected ways. Cora, [Faye Emerson], works at a parachute factory and quickly catches Fixit’s eye with a mix of charm and grit. Janet, [Eleanor Parker], who knew Dave from school days, recognizes something familiar and comforting in him, a contrast to the sudden strain of wartime separation. When Dave learns that he has no close family nearby, Janet invites him to share Thanksgiving at her home, hoping to bring warmth into a house that seems wary of a man constantly at sea.
Janet’s family has a complicated dynamic that colors every moment of the visit. Janet’s mother—Mrs. Harriet Wheeler, [Beulah Bondi]—is hesitant to embrace a military man whose life is spent far from home, while Molly, [Andrea King], Janet’s sister, struggles with loyalty and fidelity as she navigates her own marriage and the temptations that come with it. Janet’s father, Pop Wheeler, [Henry Travers], and her younger sister Ellie, [Georgia Lee], are the only ones who extend genuine hospitality to Dave, offering a quiet kindness that helps him feel seen. Ellie, perceptive and compassionate, notices the budding attraction between Janet and Dave and quietly arranges a daybreak date on Thanksgiving morning, a plan that gently nudges the couple toward what feels inevitable.
A long Mount Wilson outing stretches into the evening, and the pair are late returning Janet home. The fear of being found out or judged gives way to a shared tenderness, and they drift into Cora’s apartment, where they fall asleep in each other’s arms, the world outside momentarily distant. When Dave must report for duty in San Diego, the reality of his responsibilities presses in, yet the bonds between him and Janet grow stronger, culminating in a quick, intimate marriage and a short, sunlit honeymoon before the family’s disapproval rears its head again.
Molly’s disapproval deepens as letters from Dave to Janet go unanswered, and the tension climbs with each new day. Janet makes the difficult choice to move out, seeking a different path with Cora’s company and a sense of independence that war has demanded of so many. In the wake of this upheaval, Dave and Janet attempt a discrete reconciliation, aided by Fixit’s practical support, including a makeshift rendezvous on a sunlit San Diego beach when every hotel and trailer park is fully booked.
The shock of pregnancy becomes a turning point, altering the stakes for everyone involved. Molly’s skepticism softens only with time, while her husband Fred, [William Prince], begins to confront his own beliefs and errors, seeking forgiveness from Janet and the family and guiding them toward a cautious reconciliation. The news reshapes the family dynamics, forcing the older generation to reconsider their stern assumptions and the siblings to navigate loyalties that war had only intensified.
Months pass before the war’s wounds recede enough for Dave to return and reunite with his wife. The long wait ends with a quiet, heartfelt reunion as Dave comes back to meet the couple’s newborn son, a tangible symbol of resilience and new life born from the crucible of conflict. The story, grounded in everyday tenderness and family friction, frames a Thanksgiving tale that honors endurance, forgiveness, and the quiet strength found in choosing to belong to someone else—even when distance, fear, and disagreement keep testing that choice.
The Very Thought of You Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Return from the Aleutian front” to “Return home with baby”. 14 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Return from the Aleutian front
After three years fighting in the Aleutian campaign, Sergeants Dave and Fixit are pulled from the front lines and sent back to the United States. The men transition from combat duty to civilian life, awaiting a new chapter stateside.
Where:Attu Island, Alaska
- 2
Thanksgiving pass in Pasadena
Dave and Fixit spend Thanksgiving in Pasadena, trading war news for food, warmth, and a glimpse of home. The mood is hopeful, with the prospect of reconnecting with loved ones in the near future.
When:Thanksgiving Day Where:Pasadena, California
- 3
Caltech visit
Dave visits his alma mater, Caltech, and reconnects with old friends and professors. The trip deepens his sense of return to civilian life and the path ahead after the war.
When:Thanksgiving week Where:Caltech, Pasadena
- 4
Meet Cora and Janet
In Pasadena, Dave and Fixit meet two young women who work in a parachute factory. Cora catches Fixit's eye, while Janet remembers Dave from school days, setting up future possibilities.
When:Shortly after Thanksgiving Where:Pasadena, near parachute factory
- 5
Thanksgiving invitation
Janet invites Dave home for Thanksgiving dinner when she realizes he has no family nearby. The dinner reveals the friction between Janet's family and a man who has spent long stretches away.
When:Thanksgiving Day Where:Janet's home
- 6
Thanksgiving morning date arranged
Ellie, Janet's younger sister, notices the growing attraction between Dave and Janet and secretly arranges a date for them on Thanksgiving morning. The setup foreshadows their budding romance beyond family tensions.
When:Thanksgiving morning Where:Janet's home
- 7
Mount Wilson day and late return
Dave and Janet spend a day at Mount Wilson, and the outing runs long. They are late returning, but their connection deepens as they sneak away to Cora's apartment and fall asleep together around 3 a.m.
When:3:00 AM Where:Mount Wilson, California; Cora's apartment
- 8
Marriage and a brief San Diego honeymoon
Dave and Janet marry and begin a brief honeymoon in San Diego, as the war winds down and the prospect of a settled life together grows. Molly disapproves, adding to the family tensions surrounding the couple.
When:Post-wedding Where:San Diego, California
- 9
Letters intercepted
Molly intercepts Dave's letters to Janet, worsening the rift between Janet's family. The couple's hope for privacy and stability is strained by nosy relatives and in-law friction.
When:Soon after wedding Where:Janet's home
- 10
Janet moves in with Cora
Feeling unwelcome at the family home, Janet moves out and finds refuge in Cora's apartment. Dave supports her as they navigate the pressures of wartime separation and looming parenthood.
When:Soon after wedding Where:Cora's apartment
Show the other 4 events of The Very Thought of You Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Secret rendezvous on the San Diego beach
With all hotels and trailer parks full, Dave and Janet steal a moment to be together, sleeping on a San Diego beach. The improvised tryst solidifies their commitment despite external obstacles.
When:Shortly after moving in Where:San Diego, California
- 12
Pregnancy announcement
Janet learns she is pregnant, a development that intensifies the family conflict but also deepens Dave and Janet's bond. The news shifts the dynamic from rebellious romance to responsibility.
Where:San Diego
- 13
Wounded in battle; family relents
News arrives that Dave and Fixit have been wounded in the war, prompting Janet's family to reluctantly relent and accept the couple's marriage. The shared danger briefly softens long-standing tensions.
When:During WWII Where:Janet's family circle
- 14
Return home with baby
Months later, Dave returns to his wife to meet their newborn baby boy. The family reconciliation becomes complete as they welcome the new addition to their small wartime family.
When:Months after marriage Where:Home
Who Are the Main Characters in The Very Thought of You?
8 characters, among them Dave Stewart (Dennis Morgan), Janet Wheeler (Eleanor Parker) and Cora 'Cuddles' Colton (Faye Emerson): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- DS
Dave Stewart (Dennis Morgan)
Played by Dennis Morgan
A loyal, hopeful sergeant whose wartime experiences harden his resolve and deepen his commitment to Janet. He balances duty with personal happiness, endures family scrutiny, and ultimately marries Janet to start a family.
- ❤️ Romance
- 🎖️ Soldier
- 💍 Marriage
-
Janet Wheeler (Eleanor Parker)
Played by Eleanor Parker
A compassionate yet conflicted woman torn between her family's expectations and love for Dave. She grows more determined to build a life with him, navigating resentment, loyalty, and hope until they reunite.
- ❤️ Romance
- 👪 Family
- 💍 Marriage
- C'
Cora 'Cuddles' Colton (Faye Emerson)
Played by Faye Emerson
A spirited parachute factory worker who captures Fixit's eye and represents vibrant home-front life. Her presence highlights the interplay between romance and duty on the road to wartime matchmaking.
- 💃 Charmer
- 💬 Social
- 🪢 Independent
- MW
Molly Wheeler (Andrea King)
Played by Andrea King
Janet's sister whose disapproval and secrets complicate the family dynamics. She embodies the tensions between personal desire, loyalty, and social norms during wartime.
- 🚫 Judgment
- 👪 Family
- EW
Ellie Wheeler (Georgia Lee)
Played by Georgia Lee
The younger sister who quietly orchestrates a date between Dave and Janet, showing a practical, hopeful side of family influence and the bridge between youth and romance.
- 🎯 Mischief
- 👪 Family
-
Mr. Fred Wheeler (William Prince)
Played by William Prince
The family patriarch who offers quiet support and eventual forgiveness, helping to stabilize the couple's path amid family tensions.
- 👪 Family
- 🕊️ Forgiveness
-
Pop Wheeler (Henry Travers)
Played by Henry Travers
A paternal figure whose guidance embodies traditional values and cautious optimism, influencing the couple's prospects as they navigate wartime constraints.
- 👪 Family
- 🗣️ Guidance
- S'
Sgt. 'Fixit' Gilman (Dane Clark)
Played by Dane Clark
Dave's loyal buddy from the warfront whose camaraderie grounds the soldiers' experience and underscores the shared dangers of service.
- 🎖️ Soldier
- 🤝 Friendship
Where and When Is The Very Thought of You Set?
The Very Thought of You is set in Attu Island, Pasadena, Mount Wilson, Caltech (Pasadena) and San Diego (1940s, World War II era). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1940s, World War II era
Set during World War II, the narrative follows soldiers returning from the Aleutian campaign and reconciling with civilian life on leave. The period features Thanksgiving gatherings, rationing-era shortages, and rapid, sometimes precarious marriages formed under wartime pressure. Letters, separation, and the looming possibility of deployment frame the couple's journey toward a family beginning amid global conflict.
Where
Attu Island, Pasadena, Mount Wilson, Caltech (Pasadena), San Diego
The story moves from the war-torn Aleutians to mid-20th-century American life. Attu Island provides the backdrop of the Pacific campaign and the soldiers' grueling cold storage in the war. Pasadena hosts a Thanksgiving visit, including a Caltech tour, anchoring the civilian world in the same moment as service members prepare for further deployment. Mount Wilson offers scenic settings for romance, while San Diego becomes the scene for the couple's wartime reconciliation and brief honeymoon as Dave reports back for duty.
- ❄️ Attu Island
- ☀️ Pasadena/Caltech
- 🗻 Mount Wilson
- 🌊 San Diego
What Are the Themes of The Very Thought of You?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Romance, Duty vs Love and Family Reconciliation.
-
01
Romance
Love grows under the strain of war as Dave and Janet navigate longing, mixed expectations, and the pull between duty and a shared future. Their relationship is helped by Ellie’s matchmaking and finally tested by family disapproval and distance. The couple ultimately finds a path to commitment, culminating in marriage and a new baby.
-
02
Duty vs Love
Dave's military obligations pull him away from domestic life, forcing choices between respecting orders and pursuing personal happiness. Wartime obligations shape timelines, letters, and the risk of losing each other, yet act as a catalyst for their ultimate union.
-
03
Family Reconciliation
Janet's family initially resists the relationship, reflecting social expectations and concern for reputation during wartime. News of injuries and hardship on the front fosters forgiveness and a renewed sense of family unity. The film portrays resilience and forgiveness as central to sustaining love during crisis.
What Kind of Film Is The Very Thought of You?
Hopeful in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Hopeful
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A tender and steady wartime romance that balances the anxiety of separation with the hopeful resilience of love, set against a backdrop of family friction and the quiet strength found in personal commitment.
- romantic
- nostalgic
- tense
- tender
- hopeful
- family-focused
- war romance
- family conflict
- marriage
- wartime separation
Content notes: war themes.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Very Thought of You? Test yourself on the story.
