What Is There Goes My Heart About?
The premise of There Goes My Heart in 294 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the glittering world of high society, Joan Butterfield finds the trappings of wealth increasingly hollow. Fed up with a life dictated by family expectations and the endless parade of luxury, she slips away from a lavish yacht and heads for the bustling streets of New York City, determined to taste a more ordinary existence. The city’s frenetic energy and its everyday rhythms promise a freedom she has never known, offering a stark contrast to the gilded corridors she leaves behind.
Seeking anonymity, Joan adopts a modest alias and takes a position as a salesgirl in a department‑store, where the simple pleasures of a morning shift and the camaraderie of coworkers become her new constants. It is here that she encounters Bill Spencer, a quick‑witted reporter eager for a story that juxtaposes aristocratic privilege with the working‑class grind. Drawn together by curiosity and an unspoken yearning for authenticity, their interactions spark a tentative romance that feels both daring and inevitable amid the store’s bright lights and the city’s relentless pace.
Joan’s friendship with Peggy O’Brien, a warm‑hearted fellow employee, provides a grounding presence as she navigates this unfamiliar world. Peggy’s street‑smart generosity and her willingness to open her home give Joan a glimpse of genuine connection beyond the gilded veneer of her past. Meanwhile, the looming presence of Joan’s grandfather, the family patriarch, casts a shadow of obligation that hints at the delicate balance she must maintain between love, independence, and the expectations of her lineage.
The film unfolds as a gently humorous, romantic drama that celebrates the clash between opulence and ordinary life. Its tone is lyrical yet playful, inviting viewers to wonder whether true happiness lies in wealth and status or in the simple, heartfelt moments that blossom when two worlds converge.
What Happens in There Goes My Heart?
The complete story of There Goes My Heart, from the first scene to the last, in 634 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 7 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
On a luxurious yacht, heiress Joan Butterfield, Virginia Bruce can’t convince her grandfather to loosen the rules, so she quietly slips away and heads for New York City. Reporter Bill Spencer, Fredric March arrives at the yacht just moments too late to catch a proper glimpse, hoping to snap a rare photograph for his editor, Mr. Stevens, Eugene Pallette. When the chance escapes him, Bill doubles down on his pursuit, convincing Stevens to back a more ambitious story: a contrast between Joan’s gilded life and that of an ordinary department-store salesgirl. The newsroom buzzes with the plan as Bill bets on a sensational piece that would show a world of luxury beside everyday work.
In New York, Joan is spotted by good-hearted Peggy O’Brien, Patsy Kelly, after an amusing turn of fate in an automat. Peggy’s kindness wins Joan a free lunch when her own meal is stolen, and the manager’s refusal to replace it is politely overridden by Joan’s easy charm. The two women become fast friends, and Peggy offers Joan a place to stay, then promises to help her land a job at Butterfield’s department store—Peggy’s workplace. To keep her identity hidden, Joan adopts the alias Joan Baker, and she learns to navigate the small, messy realities of everyday life, including the surprisingly tricky art of cooking dinner.
When Bill steps into Butterfield’s for his feature, he recognizes Joan after all, and the pursuit shifts from the yacht to a personal chase. At first, Joan resists and tries to keep him at arm’s length, but she slowly opens up, and their relationship deepens as she reveals the down-to-earth person beneath the designer clothes. Bill’s growing affection for her is tempered by the tension of his assignment: can he fall for the woman he’s supposed to photograph and write about without compromising her story?
Tensions rise when a jealous coworker, Dorothy Moore, Nancy Carroll, notices the inscription on a watch—“To Joan Butterfield—from Gramps” —and realizes Joan’s true identity. The discovery fuels a rift and adds pressure on Joan, who is trying to balance honesty with the life she’s come to enjoy. Peggy, puzzled by Joan’s preference for an ordinary life, stands by her friend even as the newsroom story looms large over both their lives. Without fully understanding the stakes, Peggy calls Bill to explain what she’s learned, and Bill secretly takes Joan to his island cabin just twenty-five miles from New York, hoping to salvage something real amid the headlines.
Back in the city, Bill’s friend Flash Fisher, [Arthur Lake], passes along information that helps Gramps—Cyrus W. Butterfield, Claude Gillingwater—and his team race to the island before Bill can rejoin Joan. Gramps lands with his crew by speedboat and, armed with the newspaper’s sensational piece, confronts Joan with the dream of family and name rather than headlines. Bill arrives only to find Joan hurt and angry, and she leaves, sure that her identity and her relationship have been compromised.
In the quiet that follows, Peggy and her chiropractor boyfriend, Pennypepper E. Pennypepper, Alan Mowbray, devise a playful plan to bring the couple back together: a pair of telegrams signed by the other, inviting each to meet on the island. The ruse works in time, and when they finally meet again, initial reluctance yields to rediscovered affection. A thunderclap frightens Joan, driving her into Bill’s arms as a minister—sent by Peggy and Pennypepper—opens the wedding book and prepares to seal their union.
Throughout, the story threads a contrast between glittering city life and simple, genuine connection, showing how two people can learn to understand and value what truly matters. The romance widens into a shared future only after the emotional misunderstandings clear, the newsroom reshaped by love rather than by sensationalism, and a quiet ceremony confirms that the heart can outpace the press.
There Goes My Heart Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Joan escapes the yacht to seek independence” to “The minister seals their marriage”. 13 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Joan escapes the yacht to seek independence
Heiress Joan Butterfield slips away from her grandfather's yacht, seeking a new life in New York City. Reporter Bill Spencer arrives just before she leaves, hoping for a scarce photograph that could boost his editor's feature. Bill's pursuit starts a collision between privilege and ordinary life.
Where:Butterfield yacht, near New York
- 2
Bill secures Stevens' support for a dual-story
In New York, Bill convinces editor Stevens to pursue the missing heiress and to assign a contrasting feature that pairs her glamorous world with that of a salesgirl in Butterfield's department store. The plan sets up a narrative that contrasts wealth with everyday work. Bill also begins gathering background to keep the story alive.
Where:Stevens' newsroom, New York
- 3
Joan meets Peggy and adopts a disguise
In an automat, Joan meets Peggy O'Brien and the two quickly become friends after a stolen lunch incident. Peggy offers Joan a place to stay and even a job at Butterfield's, while Joan adopts a new alias to hide her true identity. The new arrangement opens doors to an ordinary life.
Where:Automat, New York
- 4
Joan starts life as an ordinary salesgirl
Joan settles into Peggy's world and begins learning the rhythms of ordinary work, from handling customers to cooking dinner. She enjoys the freedom of a simpler life, even when the daily chores prove clumsy at first. The disguise gradually becomes a real doorway to new experiences.
Where:Butterfield's department store; Peggy's home, New York
- 5
Bill spots Joan in the store
Bill visits Butterfield's to work on his feature and unexpectedly recognizes Joan in her disguise. He pursues her for an exclusive, but she tries to dodge his cameras and keep her anonymity intact. The chase deepens his dawning affection as well as his professional conflict.
Where:Butterfield's department store, New York
- 6
Joan and Bill begin dating; love grows
After a moment of hesitation, Joan agrees to date Bill, and as they spend time together he begins to fall in love with the down-to-earth person she really is. He secretly fights to keep their romance out of the paper, but the pull between them continues to grow.
Where:Various around New York
- 7
Dorothy discovers the true identity
Dorothy Moore, a jealous coworker, spots the inscription on Joan's watch and realizes who she is. She reports to Gramps, prompting Peggy to help protect Joan's secret while keeping the ruse alive. The tension between Joan's two lives becomes urgent.
Where:Butterfield's store, women's restroom
- 8
Peggy tells Bill; the couple retreats to the island cabin
Peggy calls Bill to tell him what happened, and he secretly takes Joan to his island cabin near New York for privacy and safety. There, the couple discovers they are in love and want to build a life together away from the press. The night deepens their commitment.
When:That night Where:Bill's island cabin, about 25 miles from New York
- 9
Bill tears up his story
The next morning, Bill heads back to the mainland to secure a marriage license and groceries, and he tears his story up into pieces to protect their romance. He believes a private life is possible if he can silence the exposé. However, the plan is short lived as events unfold elsewhere.
When:Morning Where:Island cabin, then New York
- 10
The newsroom resurrects the exclusive
Back in New York, Stevens and the newsroom glue the torn story back together, turning Bill's private romance into front-page news. The publication reshapes public perception and threatens to expose their relationship. The romance is now out in the open.
Where:New York newsroom
Show the other 3 events of There Goes My Heart Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Gramps reaches the island
Gramps, guided by Bill's ally Flash Fisher, learns where Joan is and arrives at the island by speedboat to confront the couple. He is determined to recover the heiress and maintain control over the family business.
Where:Island cabin
- 12
A confrontation and a staged reunion
Bill arrives and Joan is hurt and angry, choosing to leave the cabin rather than hear him out. Peggy and Pennypepper E. Pennypepper orchestrate a reunion by sending telegrams signed by the other to lure them back together. The plan culminates in a thunderclap that pushes Joan toward Bill's arms.
Where:Island cabin
- 13
The minister seals their marriage
A local minister arrives on the island with his opened prayer book to perform the wedding as Joan and Bill finally reconcile. They commit to a life together in front of friends, family, and fate itself.
Where:Island cabin
Who Are the Main Characters in There Goes My Heart?
8 characters, among them Bill Spencer (Fredric March), Joan Butterfield (Virginia Bruce) and Peggy O'Brien (Patsy Kelly): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Bill Spencer (Fredric March)
Played by Fredric March
A determined newspaper reporter who pursues the missing heiress for a hot photo story. He uses perseverance and charm to get close to Joan, and gradually falls in love while weighing the ethics of publishing against personal happiness.
- 📰 Reporter
- 🎯 Determined
- JB
Joan Butterfield (Virginia Bruce)
Played by Virginia Bruce
An heiress who longs for an ordinary life, she sneaks away from her social circle and assumes a modest identity as Joan Baker. She is kind-hearted, adaptable, and brave, navigating daily tasks and relationships without the glamour of her title.
- 👑 Heiress
- 🧭 Identity
- PO
Peggy O'Brien (Patsy Kelly)
Played by Patsy Kelly
A practical, good-hearted friend who welcomes Joan into her life and helps her adjust to ordinary work life. She provides support, humor, and a path to potential romance with Bill and Joan.
- 🤝 Friend
- 😂 Comic Foil
- CW
Cyrus W. Butterfield (Claude Gillingwater)
Played by Claude Gillingwater
The wealthy grandfather and department store magnate who guards the Butterfield name. He is protective, status-conscious, and uses the press to manage his family's image.
- 👑 Patriarch
- 🏢 Businessman
- PE
Penny E. Pennypepper (Alan Mowbray)
Played by Alan Mowbray
Peggy's chiropractor boyfriend who becomes part of the couple's schemes. He adds a light, supportive dynamic and helps move the plot toward resolution.
- 🧑⚕️ Doctor
- 💡 Supportive
- DM
Dorothy Moore (Nancy Carroll)
Played by Nancy Carroll
A jealous co-worker who recognizes Joan's true identity and drives conflict. Her actions reveal the fragile nature of secrets in a competitive workplace.
- 🗞️ Rival
- 🧠 Schemer
- MS
Mr. Stevens (Eugene Pallette)
Played by Eugene Pallette
The editor pushing for a sensational exclusive; he embodies the press's appetite for drama and headlines, often clashing with Bill's personal ethics.
- 🗞️ Editor
- 📈 Media Power
- FF
Flash Fisher (Arthur Lake)
Played by Arthur Lake
Bill's lighthearted friend and confidant who adds humor and helps move the story along. He provides a social counterpoint to the romance and drama.
- 🎭 Sidekick
- 😂 Comic Relief
Where and When Is There Goes My Heart Set?
There Goes My Heart is set in Yacht, New York City, Butterfield's department store, Automat and Island cabin (1930s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1930s
Set in the late 1930s United States, the film captures the era's blend of glamour, media sensationalism, and the contrast between wealth and everyday work life. The bustling city environment, the press's pursuit of a hot story, and the social rituals of department stores reflect the period's culture. The narrative uses these spaces to explore romance and personal authenticity amid public scrutiny.
Where
Yacht, New York City, Butterfield's department store, Automat, Island cabin
The story moves between glamorous high-society spaces and everyday urban life. It unfolds on a luxurious yacht where an heiress tries to escape public gaze, then shifts to bustling New York City and the Butterfield's department store, before retreating to a remote island cabin. These settings highlight class contrasts, the performative nature of fame, and the tension between public image and private identity.
- 🗽 Urban setting
- 🏬 Department store
- 🚢 Yacht
- 🏝 Island getaway
What Are the Themes of There Goes My Heart?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Identity, Love & Fame and Media & Reputation.
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01
Identity
A central tension is Joan's double life: living as an heiress on a yacht and then as a regular salesgirl under an assumed name. The film probes what happens when public persona clashes with inner desires, and how disguises can both protect and complicate relationships. It shows how characters seek genuine connection beyond social masks.
-
02
Love & Fame
Bill's pursuit of a sensational photo becomes a test of whether romance can survive under the glare of publicity. As he falls for Joan, he grapples with whether to publish the story or protect their growing relationship. The narrative weighs personal happiness against career incentives in a media-driven world.
-
03
Media & Reputation
The newsroom's pressure to scoop drives much of the plot, with Stevens pushing for an exclusive and the pieces being assembled and reassembled. The film critiques how headlines and bylines shape people's lives, sometimes at the expense of truth and tenderness. The climax hinges on whether love can outpace the power of the press.
What Kind of Film Is There Goes My Heart?
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 lighthearted screwball comedy that delivers a playful romantic escapade filled with whimsical misunderstandings and an ultimately optimistic feel.
- whimsical
- charming
- playful
- lighthearted
- optimistic
- upbeat
- class disparity
- hidden identity
- romantic pursuit
- media sensationalism
Quiz
How well do you remember There Goes My Heart? Test yourself on the story.
