What Is This Is the Night About?
The premise of This Is the Night in 280 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the glittering wake of the 1932 Summer Olympics, the bustling streets of Europe conceal a tangled love triangle that threatens to unravel with a single discovery. When Stephen returns home unexpectedly, he stumbles upon a pair of train tickets meant for a secret Venetian escape. The tickets belong to his wife Claire, whose affection has silently drifted toward another man, Gerald. The unexpected reunion forces Gerald into a desperate scramble, as he must conceal the affair while keeping Stephen blissfully unaware of the betrayal that lurks just beneath the surface.
The solution he concocts is as daring as it is absurd: he must present a convincing spouse to accompany him on the planned journey. Enlisting the aid of his loyal confidant Bunny, the pair turns to the world of theatre, searching for a woman who can embody the elegance and poise of a high‑society wife. Their first hope, a seasoned actress, slips away due to personal entanglements, leading them to a struggling performer named Germaine. Though initially deemed too demure for the role, Germaine soon convinces Gerald that she can master the façade of glamour required to satisfy Stephen’s expectations.
Set against the romantic backdrop of 1930s Europe, the film balances the sleek allure of a Venetian getaway with the nervous comedy of improvised deception. The tone is light‑hearted yet edged with the tension of secret desires, revealing how quickly affection can turn into performance when appearances matter more than truth. As the characters navigate the delicate dance of false identities, the story invites the audience to wonder how far a lie can stretch before the very city of canals begins to reflect the hidden truths of its visitors.
What Happens in This Is the Night?
The complete story of This Is the Night, from the first scene to the last, in 298 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Claire Mathewson’s husband Stephen Mathewson returns unexpectedly from the 1932 Summer Olympics, where he was set to compete in the javelin. He discovers the train tickets for a romantic Venice getaway she has planned with her lover Gerald Gray. Bunny West, Gerald’s friend, lies and says the tickets are actually for Gerald and his wife. With Stephen still suspicious, Gerald must find a fake wife to go to Venice with him. He tries to hire the actress Chou-Chou, but since her boyfriend is a jealous man, she gives the job to out-of-work Germaine, who needs the 2000 franc fee to keep from starving. At first, Gerald thinks she is too demure, but she soon convinces him that she can pretend to be a glamorous wife.
The two couples go to Venice. Bunny, attracted to Germaine, decides to join them. On the train, Stephen questions Gerald and Germaine about how they met. When they arrive in Venice, Claire quickly becomes jealous, as both Stephen and Gerald seem fascinated by Germaine. Claire eventually demands that Gerald send Germaine away immediately, so he orders her to leave the next day. Meanwhile, a drunken Bunny climbs a ladder into Germaine’s bedroom and offers to take her away. After she turns down his offer, he falls into a canal on his way out and is apprehended by two policemen. Stephen believes he hears a burglar and goes to her room to investigate. The two are then caught in a seemingly compromising position by Gerald and Claire. However, Bunny reappears and explains what really happened. Claire breaks off her affair with Gerald. Germaine reveals to Gerald that she is not in fact Chou-Chou and decides to return to Paris, but Gerald catches up to her in a gondola and asks her to marry him.
This Is the Night Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Stephen discovers Venice tickets after Olympic return” to “Germaine reveals the truth and a gondola proposal”. 14 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Stephen discovers Venice tickets after Olympic return
Stephen returns from the 1932 Summer Olympics and immediately confronts Claire's romantic scheme. He discovers the train tickets for a Venice getaway that she has planned with her lover Gerald. The discovery heightens his suspicion about Claire's fidelity.
When:1932 (after the Summer Olympics) Where:Home
- 2
Bunny lies about the tickets
Bunny claims the tickets are for Gerald and his wife, not Claire and Gerald's arrangement. The deception is meant to mislead Stephen and maintain the Venice plan. The lie sets in motion the tangled web of mismatched identities.
When:1932 Where:Home
- 3
Gerald seeks a fake wife; Chou-Chou redirects to Germaine
Gerald decides to salvage the trip by finding a fake wife. He first approaches the actress Chou-Chou, but her jealous boyfriend makes that impossible. Chou-Chou directs him to Germaine, an out-of-work woman in need of money.
When:1932 Where:Gerald's home
- 4
Germaine accepts the role of fake wife
Germaine agrees to pose as a glamorous wife for the Venice trip, impressed by the money and opportunity. She convinces Gerald she can carry the performance with ease. Her willingness kickstarts the elaborate ruse.
When:1932 Where:Gerald's home
- 5
Departure for Venice
The two couples set off toward Venice, beginning the ruse that will test their loyalties. They travel together aboard a train, moving from their ordinary lives into a complex web of deception. The journey marks the moment when the plan starts to unfold in earnest.
When:During journey Where:Train to Venice
- 6
Bunny joins the trip
Bunny, attracted to Germaine, decides to join the Venice trip, adding another layer of complication to the plan. Her presence deepens the entwined relationships and raises the stakes for everyone involved. The journey now includes an extra, unpredictable element.
When:During journey Where:On the train
- 7
On the train: questions about the meeting
On the train, Stephen questions Gerald and Germaine about how they met, probing the origins of their relationship. The exchange reveals the underlying tensions and the gaps in their cover story. The tension foreshadows the trouble that will surface in Venice.
When:During journey Where:Train
- 8
Arrival in Venice: jealousy grows
Upon arriving in Venice, Claire grows jealous as both Stephen and Gerald seem fascinated by Germaine. The attraction threatens the fraying arrangement and heightens Claire's resolve to control the situation. The city becomes the backdrop for the evolving relationships.
When:Arrival Where:Venice
- 9
Claire orders Germaine to leave
Claire demands that Gerald disentangle himself from Germaine, insisting that Germaine be sent away. Gerald orders Germaine to depart the next day, attempting to restore the original plan and protect his own relationship with Claire. The tension between truth and deception tightens.
When:Day after arrival Where:Venice
- 10
Bunny's drunken ladder incident
A drunken Bunny climbs a ladder into Germaine's bedroom and offers to take her away. Germaine rebuffs the advances, and Bunny accidentally falls into a canal, drawing police attention. The episode heightens the sense of danger and exposes the precarious nature of the ruse.
When:Night Where:Germaine's room
Show the other 4 events of This Is the Night Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Stephen and Germaine nearly caught
Stephen believes he hears a burglar and goes to Germaine's room to investigate. He and Germaine are then caught in a seeming compromising position by Gerald and Claire. The exposure forces a reckoning among the four and tests their loyalties.
When:Evening Where:Venice - Germaine's room
- 12
Bunny explains what happened
Bunny reappears and explains the sequence of events to everyone, revealing the truth behind the misunderstandings. Her clarification helps unmask the deception and clarifies the real motives of those involved. The path toward resolution begins to appear.
When:After incident Where:Venice
- 13
Claire ends the affair with Gerald
Claire decides to break off her affair with Gerald, recognizing the harm caused by the deception. She chooses to prioritize her marriage and distance herself from the complications in Venice. The decision signals a turning point for the relationships.
When:Post-incident Where:Venice
- 14
Germaine reveals the truth and a gondola proposal
Germaine reveals to Gerald that she is not Chou-Chou and decides to return to Paris. Gerald catches up to her in a gondola and, moved by the encounter, asks her to marry him. The film closes on a hopeful note as love seems to find a way through the deception.
When:End of trip Where:Venice - gondola
Who Are the Main Characters in This Is the Night?
5 characters, among them Claire Mathewson (Thelma Todd), Stephen Mathewson (Cary Grant) and Gerald Gray (Roland Young): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- CM
Claire Mathewson (Thelma Todd)
Played by Thelma Todd
Claire is unsettled by rumors and her husband Stephen’s return from the Olympics, which fuels her jealousy. She oscillates between suspicion and loyalty, ultimately choosing to protect her marriage. Her actions reveal the fragile balance between passion and commitment.
- 💔 Jealousy
- 🗣️ Trust
- 💍 Marriage
-
Stephen Mathewson (Cary Grant)
Played by Cary Grant
A competitive athlete turned husband who navigates suspicions about his wife's affair. His practical, watchful nature pushes the plot forward as he questions Gerald and Germaine’s story. His reactions drive the farce toward its reconciliation.
- 🤔 Suspicion
- 🏛️ Prestige
- 🥇 Athlete
- GG
Gerald Gray (Roland Young)
Played by Roland Young
Gerald schemes to keep up appearances by hiring a fake wife, showcasing his blend of charm and self-interest. He is drawn to Germaine, complicating the trip and testing his relationship with Claire. He remains the catalyst for most of the misunderstandings.
- 🎭 Deception
- 💘 Love
- 🎩 Charm
- G(
Germaine (Lili Damita)
Played by Lili Damita
A glamorous woman who agrees to pose as Chou-Chou for Gerald, driven by financial need. She uses her wit to adapt to the role, then decides to return to Paris, ending the masquerade on a note of independence. Her presence unsettles the other characters and sparks the denouement.
- 🎭 Deception
- 💃 Glamour
- 🗼 Paris
-
Bunny West (Charles Ruggles)
Played by Charles Ruggles
Bunny is Gerald’s friend whose attempts to join the duo’s Venice trip reveal jealousy and impracticality. His melodramatic misinterpretations culminate with a comic fall into a canal and a hastily resolved misunderstanding.
- 😂 Comedy
- 😈 Jealousy
- 🧭 Chaos
Where and When Is This Is the Night Set?
This Is the Night is set in Venice and Italy (1932). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1932
The events occur in the early 1930s, anchored by the 1932 Summer Olympics mentioned in the plot. The era is one of glamorous, lighthearted comedy before World War II, with social mores and fashion reflecting the period.
Where
Venice, Italy
Venice serves as the glamorous backdrop for the couples' escape, with its famed canals, gondolas, and ornate architecture. The city’s romantic atmosphere amplifies the entanglements and miscommunications that drive the farcical plot. The story unfolds largely across Venetian venues and a canal-side gondola finale that turns the getaway into a test of loyalty.
- 🌊 Waterways
- 🏛️ Historic City
- 🎭 Glamour
What Are the Themes of This Is the Night?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love and Jealousy, Playacting and Travel and Escape.
-
01
Love and Jealousy
Claire’s jealousy over her husband’s supposed affair with another woman sets the emotional stakes. Gerald’s charm and lies spark tension as trust erodes between the couples. The interplay of fidelity and temptation drives the comedy into a confessional, near-miss climax on the Venice getaway.
-
02
Playacting
Gerald enlists a fake wife to protect his reputation and keep up appearances, blurring truth and performance. Germaine’s glamorous act masks her real identity, highlighting how characters perform roles to pursue desires. The tension arises from how far people will go to maintain a flawless public image.
-
03
Travel and Escape
The Venice trip acts as a stage for desire and deception, turning travel into a test of loyalty. The train journey and gondola rides place the characters in close quarters, heightening misunderstandings and romantic entanglements. Venice’s setting amplifies the lure of a glamorous escape from domestic strife.
What Kind of Film Is This Is the Night?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A fast-paced, frivolous romantic comedy full of mistaken identities, impulsive lies, and chaotic situations, all building to a farcical resolution with a lighthearted and happy ending.
- romantic
- deceptive
- chaotic
- frivolous
- jealous
- playful
- impersonation
- extramarital affair
- screwball comedy
- jealousy
Content notes: infidelity.
Quiz
How well do you remember This Is the Night? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch This Is the Night
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
