What Is The Wiser Sex About?
The premise of The Wiser Sex in 308 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a world where courtroom drama meets the glitter of high society, the atmosphere crackles with elegant tension. The city’s sophisticated veneer hides a relentless fight for truth, and every polished lounge or exclusive party feels like a stage where personalities clash as sharply as legal arguments. The film balances sleek, period‑perfect design with a sly, suspense‑laden wit, inviting the audience to wonder what lies beneath the surface of charm and propriety.
Margaret Hughes returns to a bustling metropolis carrying more than a suitcase; she is driven by love for David Rolfe, a sharp‑tongued attorney whose reputation has been unexpectedly jeopardized. Their relationship, already tested by ambition and differing priorities, is now tangled in a shadowy legal quagmire that threatens to separate them forever. As David struggles to defend himself against a serious accusation, Margaret feels compelled to intervene, believing that the only way to clear his name is to step outside the conventional bounds of the courtroom.
The heart of the conflict centers on an unexpected rivalry between Margaret and a formidable, resourceful woman known for her persuasive talents. Claire Foster moves through the same glittering circles with poise and an uncanny knack for reading people, turning social gatherings into strategic battles of intellect. Margaret adopts an undercover persona, slipping into the world of gold‑diggers and high‑stakes negotiations, where every conversation could yield a clue or a trap. Their duel of wits becomes a delicate dance, each trying to outmaneuver the other while maintaining a veneer of sophistication.
All the while, the film’s tone remains a shimmering blend of suspense and sly humor, a cat‑and‑mouse game that thrives on clever dialogue and the subtle power plays of the “wiser sex.” The stakes are high, the allure is palpable, and the audience is left anticipating how far each woman will go to protect the truth she holds dear.
What Happens in The Wiser Sex?
The complete story of The Wiser Sex, from the first scene to the last, in 343 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 8 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
After prosecutor David Rolfe has arrested racketeer Benny Morgan, mobster Harry Evans orders his chauffeur Douglass Dumbrille to kill him, but the hit fails.
The next day, Margaret Hughes, David’s fiancée, leaves on a cruise with Jimmy O’Neill, her friendly suitor, warning David she will not marry a man who values work more than her.
David cannot give Margaret a proper bon voyage because he is trying to save his naïve young cousin, Phil Long, from the clutches of gold-digging moll Claire Foster, with whom David once had involvement.
When David warns Phil that Claire belongs to Evans, Phil takes David’s revolver with him to Claire’s hotel to confront her; Evans enters in his housecoat and Phil shoots him in the arm. They struggle and Phil is killed. When David arrives, Claire, acting on Evans’s orders, says Phil killed himself, then calls the police and frames David as the killer.
In court, David’s defense is greatly weakened by Claire’s acting ability, and she successfully seduces the all-male jury. Margaret returns for the trial and remarks that a jury of the “wiser sex” would see right through Claire’s histrionics. In order to gather evidence, Margaret goes undercover as blonde gold digger Ruby Kennedy and takes a room adjacent to Claire’s.
Through diamonds and liquor, Margaret befriends Claire and wheedles her into revealing more about the case. Jimmy and Margaret throw a party for Claire and Evans, and Evans makes several passes at Margaret. During the party, Evans’ cook, Robert Fischer, who helped him with his wound the morning of the murder, accidentally bumps Evans’ arm and Evans scolds him for calling attention to it.
The next day, Fritz is found dead, and Margaret now knows the missing bullet from David’s gun is lodged in Evans. Margaret then meets Evans for a rendezvous, while Jimmy tells Claire he has lost her to Evans. As Evans’ chauffeur identifies Margaret, Claire enters in a jealous rage and reveals Evans as Phil’s murderer.
Thanks to the sleuthing abilities of the “wiser sex,” David is released and marries Margaret.
The Wiser Sex Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Arrest of Benny Morgan and murder plot ordered” to “David is released and marries Margaret”. 15 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Arrest of Benny Morgan and murder plot ordered
David Rolfe has Benny Morgan arrested, setting off a chain of threats from mobster Evans. Evans then orders his chauffeur to kill David, but the assassination attempt fails.
When:opening sequence Where:Police precinct
- 2
Margaret leaves on a cruise with Jimmy
On the next day, Margaret Hughes leaves on a cruise with Jimmy O'Neill. She warns David that she will not marry a man for whom work is more important than love.
When:the next day Where:Harbor / cruise ship
- 3
David tries to save Phil from Claire
David cannot give Margaret a proper bon voyage because he is trying to save his naïve cousin Phil Long from Claire Foster. He warns Phil that Claire belongs to Evans.
When:same day Where:David's residence
- 4
Phil confronts Claire; shooting occurs
Phil takes David's revolver to Claire's hotel to confront her. Evans enters in a housecoat and Phil shoots him in the arm; they struggle and Phil is killed.
When:that night Where:Claire's hotel
- 5
Claire frames David for Phil's death
When David arrives, Claire, acting on Evans' orders, says that Phil killed himself. She then calls the police and frames David as the killer.
When:immediately after Where:Claire's hotel
- 6
Courtroom begins; Claire's acting undermines defense
In court, David's defense is weakened by Claire's convincing acting. She seduces the all-male jury in the hope of swaying the verdict.
When:during trial Where:Courthouse
- 7
Margaret returns and comments on the jury
Margaret returns for the trial. She remarks that a jury of the wiser sex would see through Claire's theatrics.
When:during trial Where:Courtroom
- 8
Margaret goes undercover to gather evidence
To gather evidence, Margaret goes undercover as a blonde gold digger named Ruby Kennedy and takes a room adjacent to Claire's. This proximity lets her observe Claire more closely.
When:during trial Where:Nearby Claire's hotel
- 9
Margaret befriends Claire to extract information
Undercover, Margaret befriends Claire through diamonds and liquor and elicits more about the case. The two women engage in social maneuvering to uncover truth.
When:during undercover Where:Claire's hotel
- 10
A social party tests loyalties
Jimmy and Margaret host a party for Claire and Evans; Evans makes several passes at Margaret. The social setting tightens the web of relationships and secrets.
When:during party Where:Party venue
Show the other 5 events of The Wiser Sex Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Fritz's incident at the party
During the party, Evans' cook Fritz, who helped him with his wound the morning of the murder, accidentally bumps Evans' arm. Evans scolds him for calling attention to it.
When:during party Where:Party venue
- 12
Fritz is found dead; missing bullet identified
The next day Fritz is found dead. Margaret now knows the missing bullet from David's gun is lodged in Evans.
When:the next day Where:Investigation scene
- 13
A rendezvous with Evans and news from Jimmy
Margaret meets Evans for a rendezvous, while Jimmy tells Claire he has lost her to Evans. Tensions rise as loyalties shift.
When:later that day Where:Rendezvous location
- 14
Chauffeur and Claire expose Evans
As Evans' chauffeur identifies Margaret, Claire enters in a jealous rage and reveals Evans as Phil's murderer. The truth about Evans starts to surface.
When:confrontation Where:Claire's location
- 15
David is released and marries Margaret
The wiser sex sleuthing leads to David's release. He marries Margaret, sealing the resolution of the case and their relationship.
When:end Where:Courthouse / wedding
Who Are the Main Characters in The Wiser Sex?
8 characters, among them David Rolfe (Melvyn Douglas), Margaret Hughes (Claudette Colbert) and Jimmy O'Neill (Ross Alexander): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
David Rolfe (Melvyn Douglas)
Played by Melvyn Douglas
A principled prosecutor who arrests Benny Morgan and becomes the target of Evans's revenge. He is driven by justice and duty, willing to risk everything to protect those he cares about. His conflict with Claire's manipulation drives the courtroom drama and his pursuit of truth.
- 🎭 Hero
- 🕵️♂️ Investigative
- MH
Margaret Hughes (Claudette Colbert)
Played by Claudette Colbert
David's fiancée who refuses to marry for convenience and instead fights for the truth. She disguises herself to gather evidence against Claire and Evans and proves herself resourceful and fearless. Her loyalty to David anchors the personal stakes in the film.
- 💃 Romantic
- 🕵️♀️ Resourceful
-
Jimmy O'Neill (Ross Alexander)
Played by Ross Alexander
A friendly suitor who supports Margaret and assists in gathering evidence, helping to stage social settings that reveal the truth. He participates in the plan to expose Claire and Evans while staying supportive of David and Margaret. His presence adds a practical, committed angle to the investigation.
- 🎭 Loyal
- 🧭 Supportive
- PL
Phil Long (Franchot Tone)
Played by Franchot Tone
David's naive young cousin who becomes entangled with Claire. He tries to confront Claire with David's gun and is killed in the ensuing conflict. His fate catalyzes the courtroom drama and the drive to expose the true killer.
- 🗡️ Rash
- 🧭 Naive
- CF
Claire Foster (Lilyan Tashman)
Played by Lilyan Tashman
A gold-digging moll who uses seduction and acting to manipulate a male-dominated jury. She frames David for murder and tries to maintain control through deception until the undercover work reveals the truth. Her calculating nature drives much of the conflict.
- 🃏 Manipulative
- 💡 Cunning
- HE
Harry Evans (William 'Stage' Boyd)
Played by William 'Stage' Boyd
A mob boss who orders the murder attempt and exerts influence over Claire and Fritz. He pursues power and control, making bold, unscrupulous moves to silence David and protect his interests. He is the primary antagonist whose plans unravel in court.
- 💰 Criminal
- 😈 Ruthless
- FE
Fritz Engelhardt (Robert Fischer)
Played by Robert Fischer
Evans's cook who assists with his wound and is drawn into the criminal web. His eventual death shifts the investigation and reveals the missing bullet lodged in Evans. He functions as a secondary ally whose fate intensifies the plot.
- 🍳 Cook
- 🕵️♂️ Complicit
- C(
Chauffeur (Douglass Dumbrille)
Played by Douglass Dumbrille
The mobster's driver who carries out orders to kill David but fails. His role highlights the reach of Evans's influence and the risks faced by those who defy such figures. He represents the failed attempt that keeps the case alive.
- 🚗 Chauffeur
- ❌ Failed
Where and When Is The Wiser Sex Set?
The Wiser Sex is set in Claire Foster's hotel, Evans' residence, Cruise ship and Courtroom (1930s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1930s
Set in the early 1930s America, the film sits in a period of gangster activity and reform. Prohibition-era tensions fuel mob intrigue and the high-stakes courtroom drama that follows.
Where
Claire Foster's hotel, Evans' residence, Cruise ship, Courtroom
The action moves through urban spaces tied to crime and justice: Claire Foster's hotel where schemes unfold, Evans' residence where danger brews, a cruise ship where Margaret goes undercover, and a courtroom where the truth is contested.
- 🏙️ Urban settings
- ⚖️ Legal drama backdrop
What Are the Themes of The Wiser Sex?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Feminine Insight, Justice vs Appearance and Romance & Loyalty.
-
01
Feminine Insight
Margaret demonstrates intelligence and resolve, stepping into danger to uncover the truth. The plot centers on a woman's ability to see through deception and guide justice. The idea of a 'wiser sex' shaping outcomes is a throughline throughout the trial and investigations.
-
02
Justice vs Appearance
Claire uses acting and manipulation to sway a male jury, testing what true justice looks like. Margaret's undercover work exposes the fragility of appearances in the courtroom. The story pits evidence and truth against deception and theatrics.
-
03
Romance & Loyalty
Love and loyalty anchor the conflict and resolution. David and Margaret's relationship endures amid danger and schemes, culminating in a marriage once innocence is proven. The film ties personal bonds to moral consequences and justice.
What Kind of Film Is The Wiser Sex?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A steadily paced, tense drama that feels like a calculated game of wits, driven by a determined woman's high-stakes undercover investigation to clear her lover's name against a clever adversary.
- tense
- suspenseful
- cunning
- calculating
- determined
- fraught
- innocence and guilt
- undercover investigation
- jurisprudence
- romantic devotion
Content notes: murder, false accusation.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Wiser Sex? Test yourself on the story.
