The Hucksters 1947

The film revolves around Victor Norman (Clark Gable), a World War II veteran and radio advertising executive. Victor is in search of a job in his field after returning from the war. In an attempt to appear uninterested in finding work, he throws a few dollars out of his hotel window, leaving himself with only $50.

On his way to a job interview at the Kimberly Advertising Agency, Victor spends $35 on a hand-painted necktie to appear sincere. The interview is interrupted by a phone call from Evan Llewellyn Evans (Sydney Greenstreet), the demanding head of the agency’s largest client, Beautee Soap. The call causes chaos, and Victor offers to recruit Mrs. Kay Dorrance (Deborah Kerr), a widow of noble British birth and the wife of a WWII U.S. general, for a Beautee Soap campaign targeting Manhattan socialites.

Victor manages to secure an appointment with Kay by pretending to represent the Charity League. During their meeting, he quickly charms her into agreeing to participate in the campaign. However, when they arrive at the photo shoot, the Beautee art director presents a concept featuring a provocative negligee. Victor insists on a more dignified approach and directs a portrait of Kay in an evening gown, surrounded by her children.

The next day, Victor and Mr. Kimberly are summoned to Beautee’s offices, where they face Evans. He expresses his displeasure with the changed advertisement but is impressed when Victor plays the radio commercial he created overnight. Evans decides to hire Victor and instructs Kimberly to do so. Victor finds himself attracted to Kay, and they go on a double date with Mr. and Mrs. Kimberly. During the evening, Kimberly drunkenly confesses to starting the agency by betraying his mentor and stealing the Beautee Soap account.

At a nightclub, Victor encounters Jean Ogilvie (Ava Gardner), a torch singer and a former flame, causing tension between him and Kay. To make amends, Victor invites Kay for a romantic getaway in Connecticut. However, when they arrive, they discover the place has changed ownership, and they are assigned adjoining rooms with a connecting door. Upset by the circumstances, Kay leaves, feeling disappointed in Victor.

Evans summons Victor and Kimberly and reveals his desire for a new radio variety show featuring Buddy Hare (Keenan Wynn), a C-list comedian. Victor agrees to secure the deal with Hare’s agent, Dave Lash (Edward Arnold), who will be leaving on an evening train. Before heading to the station, Victor visits Kay’s house, but their conversation leaves them both unsettled. On the train, he meets Jean again and recruits her help to sign Hare at a lower price. Despite Lash realizing he’s been tricked, he honors the deal.

In Hollywood, Victor and his team work on creating the radio show, but they exclude Hare due to his obnoxious behavior and tired jokes. Victor accepts a dinner invitation from Jean but realizes he’s still in love with Kay when he returns to find her waiting outside his bungalow. They reconcile, and Victor envisions himself as the provider for Kay and her children.

However, a legal issue threatens the contract with Buddy Hare, and Victor uses cruel innuendo and implied blackmail against Lash to secure the deal. Regretting his actions, Victor feels remorse for his behavior. Back in New York, he presents the proposed show to Evans but realizes that he no longer wants to grovel for success. He confronts Evans, criticizes his behavior, and leaves the meeting.

Outside, Kay waits in her car, and Victor tells her that they will have to postpone marriage until he can regain his financial stability. Kay reassures him that money is not important, as long as he can sell things with dignity and taste. Victor throws his last bit of pocket money into the street, symbolizing their fresh start with nothing, but with a sense of neatness.