What Is Two for Tonight About?
The premise of Two for Tonight in 297 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a bustling post‑war America where the glitter of Broadway collides with the everyday scramble of ordinary lives, Gilbert is a quick‑witted songwriter who suddenly finds himself thrust into a race against the clock. His world is a kaleidoscope of rag‑tag family dynamics—half‑brothers Buster Da Costa and Pooch Donahue lean on their constantly remarried, debt‑ridden mother Mrs. Smythe—and the relentless hum of a city that prizes a catchy tune above all else. The story opens on Gilbert’s desperate need to transform a handful of jaunty melodies into a full‑length theatrical piece, a task that promises both salvation and chaos.
The stage on which Gilbert must perform is as flamboyant as the songs he writes. He navigates a cast of eccentric industry figures, from the obliviously deaf publisher Alexander Myers who represents the gatekeepers of popular music, to the industrious secretary Bobbie who twines her ambitions with those of her employer, theatrical producer Harry Kling. Kling, ever the showman, is preoccupied with finding the perfect vehicle for his star‑girlfriend, the charismatic actress Lilly. Their interlocking desires create a lively, slightly absurd backdrop where romance, ambition, and creative pressure intertwine, prompting Gilbert to mine his own experiences for fresh material.
The film’s tone is a breezy, screwball comedy infused with the sparkle of musical theatre. Light‑hearted song numbers punctuate the dialogue, each a witty commentary on the characters’ misfortunes and hopes. As the deadline looms, the ensemble’s interactions pulse with both frantic energy and warm camaraderie, suggesting that the true magic may lie not just in the finished production but in the unlikely alliances forged along the way. The story promises a hopeful, humor‑driven journey through the unpredictable world of show business, leaving the audience eager to see whether Gilbert’s hurried composition can capture the heart of the stage.
What Happens in Two for Tonight?
The complete story of Two for Tonight, from the first scene to the last, in 580 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 8 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Gilbert Gilbert is one of three half-brothers — Buster Da Costa and Pooch Donahue — sons of their debt-ridden, chronically remarried mother, Mrs. Smythe Mrs. Smythe. As the furniture is hauled away by the broker’s men, he breaks into a song he’s written himself, Takes Two to Make a Bargain, a playful number that pokes fun at misfortune with lines like “Did you ever see a piano walking?” and the cheeky reminder that “Pianni doesn’t live here anymore.” The moment captures Gilbert’s wild blend of charm and desperation, setting the tone for a comic tale about art, luck, and the hit-or-miss path to show business success.
Desperate to sell the tune, Gilbert corners Alexander Myers Alexander Myers, a song publisher who is, unknown to Gilbert, completely deaf. The meeting is interrupted in a farcical twist when a plane circles overhead and crashes into the tree where Gilbert is hiding. The accident leaves him injured, and soon his family learns that his mother has sued the pilot for 50,000 dollars, arguing that the crash prevented Gilbert from finishing his musical play. Gilbert is shocked to discover the money dispute is not about a finished work but about compensation, and he protests that he never even had a finished play to begin with. The tangled situation lands him in a new kind of trouble when he encounters the pilot, Bobbie Bobbie, who offers to cover the debt in installments of 15 dollars a week from her salary as secretary to the theatrical producer Harry Kling.
Bobbie arranges a meeting for Gilbert with Kling, who is grappling with finding a suitable vehicle for his actress girlfriend Lilly Lilly. Gilbert attempts to explain the accident to Kling, but the producer takes it as a pitch for a play and orders him to have something ready by the time Kling returns from Paris in seven days. With a pool of actors at Kling’s Long Island estate, Gilbert envisions a new musical called Two for Tonight, and the workshop begins in earnest. He performs for Bobbie, singing From the Top of Your Head, hoping to spark the right inspiration, while Homps Homps, the estate’s shrewd butler and a former Budapest producer, weighs in with practical advice and a hint of hustling from the old theater world.
As the sessions unfold, Bobbie tries to push Gilbert toward romance to generate material, but Lilly keeps stepping in, and a showbiz triangle forms around the music, the dates, and the pressure to deliver. After a quarrel and a misstep, Gilbert accidentally trips a waiter and triggers a mêlée at the Purple Cafe, which escalates into a riot that draws in the police and even lands Gilbert in jail. Bobbie visits him behind bars, and he serenades her with I Wish I Were Aladdin as a chorus of prisoners joins in the performance.
When he’s released, the rehearsal continues, but a romantic misunderstanding between Bobbie and Lilly disrupts proceedings and Kling’s patience thins. The producer declares the project dead, and there’s a tense pause until Homps reveals that his Uncle Ludwig has died and left him the funds to finance the production. With that news, Gilbert renews his pursuit of Bobbie, declaring his devotion, and, after he again performs Without a Word of Warning, she returns to him for a hopeful ending. In the final scene, Homps and Mrs. Smythe appear arm-in-arm, and Mrs. Smythe seems poised for yet another marriage as the curtain falls on a comic, hopeful note.
Two for Tonight Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Gilbert sings as furniture is removed” to “Mrs. Smythe looks to marry again”. 13 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Gilbert sings as furniture is removed
In the opening scene, Gilbert performs his self-written song 'Takes Two to Make a Bargain' while broker's men haul away the Smythes' furniture. The performance sets up his dream of selling the tune. It establishes his charm and the tempo of his chaotic financial world.
When:Opening scene Where:Mrs. Smythe's home
- 2
Gilbert hides to pitch to Myers, the deaf publisher
Gilbert conceals himself in a tree beneath which the deaf publisher Alexander Myers rests. He tries to pitch his song, unaware that Myers cannot hear properly. A plane circling overhead suddenly crashes into the tree, injuring Myers and complicating the pitch.
When:Afternoon Where:Near Myers' resting spot
- 3
Sued for compensation; Bobbie the pilot offers installments
Gilbert’s mother reveals that she has sued the pilot to cover the damage, claiming 50,000 dollars for preventing Gilbert from finishing his musical. Gilbert protests that he never had a finished play. The pilot, Bobbie, agrees to pay the amount in weekly installments of 15 dollars from her salary.
When:A few days later Where:Smythe residence
- 4
Gilbert meets Kling; deadlines to propose a play
Gilbert is brought to see the theatrical producer Kling, who is struggling to find a suitable play for his actress girlfriend Lilly. Gilbert tries to explain the accident and the money issue, but Kling misinterprets it as a request for a completed play. He orders him to finish the project within seven days before Kling returns from Paris.
When:Seven days later (return from Paris) Where:Kling's Long Island estate
- 5
Group takes over Kling's estate to write Two for Tonight
With a troupe of actors, Gilbert moves into Kling's Long Island estate and begins drafting the musical 'Two for Tonight'. He performs 'From the Top of Your Head' for Bobbie, hoping to spark inspiration. Homps, the ex-Budapest producer, suggests seeking life experiences for material.
When:During the initial rehearsal Where:Kling's Long Island estate
- 6
Homps advises Gilbert to go out and meet life
Homps encourages Gilbert to go out and gather material by experiencing life. He reveals himself as an ex-theatrical producer waiting for money from his Uncle Ludwig after his death. This advice pushes Gilbert toward real-world experiences for his second act.
When:Evening Where:Long Island estate
- 7
Bobbie and Lilly intervene; trip to Purple Café
Bobbie tries to persuade Gilbert to take her to dinner, but Lilly intervenes and escorts him to the Purple Café after he sings 'Without a Word of Warning'. The café becomes a staging ground for romantic and creative tensions. This sets up further plot twists as the characters circle the project.
When:Evening Where:Purple Café
- 8
A night riot at the Purple Café
Gilbert grows impatient for plot material and a waiter is tripped, prompting him to call the police. The police mistake him for Benny the Goof, leading to a soda-siphon battle that erupts into a riot. He ends up jailed, with Bobbie visiting and singing to him.
When:Night Where:Purple Café / jail
- 9
Prison serenade: Aladdin number
Released from jail, Gilbert resumes rehearsals and is visited by Bobbie. He serenades her with 'I Wish I Were Aladdin' as a chorus of prisoners joins in. The moment deepens the bond between them while the production stalls.
When:After release Where:Jail (release and rehearsal space)
- 10
Kling returns and first signs the play might fail
Gilbert's love scene with Lilly is misinterpreted by Bobbie and Kling arrives from Europe, declaring the play off. This setback threatens to derail the production and shifts momentum back to the real-world financing problem. The tension between art and business heightens.
When:Shortly after return from Europe Where:Estate / Long Island
Show the other 3 events of Two for Tonight Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Homps inherits and finances the production
Homps reveals that his uncle has died and that he inherits the money needed to finance and produce the show. With a new bankroll, the project moves forward and the mood shifts from despair to possibility. The estate reels with renewed energy as Gilbert accelerates work.
When:Soon after item 10 Where:Long Island estate
- 12
Gilbert pursues Bobbie; finale looms
Gilbert pursues Bobbie and proclaims his devotion, and after he reprises 'Without a Word of Warning' she returns for a happy ending. The on-stage romance blends with the production's revival, bringing closure for the couple. The film ends with a hopeful pairing and lingering plans for future marriages.
When:Ending Where:Estate / rehearsal space
- 13
Mrs. Smythe looks to marry again
With the romantic threads resolved, Mrs. Smythe is seen arm-in-arm with Homps, suggesting another marriage may be on the horizon. The film closes on the possibility of continuing family and show business ties. The tone remains light and comedic as debts are cleared.
When:Ending Where:Estate
Who Are the Main Characters in Two for Tonight?
7 characters, among them Gilbert Gordon (Bing Crosby), Bobbie Lockwood (Joan Bennett) and Lilly (Thelma Todd): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Gilbert Gordon (Bing Crosby)
Played by Bing Crosby
A witty, optimistic songwriter who is deeply in debt but never short on charm. He hides to pitch his music, improvises on the fly, and uses humor to navigate the pressures of show business. His creative spark drives the plot, and his loyalty to his family and love interest keeps him striving for a big breakthrough.
- 🎼 Songwriter
- 🎭 Protagonist
- 🧭 Ambitious
-
Bobbie Lockwood (Joan Bennett)
Played by Joan Bennett
Secretary to a theatrical producer, she takes decisive action to help Gilbert pursue his music. Resourceful and persistent, she arranges meetings and funds, becoming a key ally and love interest who helps move the musical from idea to performance.
- 💼 Secretary
- 🤝 Organizer
- 💖 Love interest
- L(
Lilly (Thelma Todd)
Played by Thelma Todd
An actress and the producer's girlfriend, she provides competition and a foil to Gilbert's plans. She interferes in the love triangle and participates in the musical's social circuit, adding flair and rivalry to the story.
- 🎬 Actress
- 💃 Rivalry
- 🎭 Socialite
- MS
Mrs. Smythe (Mary Boland)
Played by Mary Boland
A debt-ridden widow and Gilbert's mother figure, whose schemes and marriages reflect the financial pressures surrounding the family. Her presence ties the personal stakes to the pursuit of financial security through marriage and social maneuvering.
- 👰 Widow
- 💍 Marriage-minded
- 💰 Materialistic
- H(
Homps (Ernest Cossart)
Played by Ernest Cossart
The ex-theatrical producer from Budapest, now navigating money and power as he waits for inheritance to materialize. He acts as a mentor and schemer, offering practical guidance to push the show forward while keeping an eye on the purse strings.
- 🏛️ Ex-theatrical producer
- 💰 Money-minder
- 🗝️ Schemer
- AM
Alexander Myers (Maurice Cass)
Played by Maurice Cass
A deaf song publisher Gilbert tries to win over with his work. He embodies a crucial obstacle and opportunity in the creative process, his deafness adding a unique twist to how the characters communicate and pitch ideas.
- 🎧 Deaf Publisher
- 🗝️ Gatekeeper
- 🗣️ Listener
- PD
Pooch Donahue (Douglas Fowley)
Played by Douglas Fowley
One of Gilbert's half-brothers and a boisterous, loyal presence in the family. He shares in the comic mishaps and provides support as the brothers navigate debt, dreams, and a path toward artistic success.
- 🕺 Brother
- 😂 Comic relief
- 🤝 Loyal
Where and When Is Two for Tonight Set?
Two for Tonight is set in Long Island estate, The Purple Cafe and Paris (early 1930s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
early 1930s
The narrative sits in the early 1930s, a period when Broadway, Hollywood, and talkies shaped popular entertainment. Economic pressures of the era drive the plot, with debt, sponsorship, and ambitious productions driving characters to take bold risks. The settings—from a lavish estate to nightlife venues—reflect a cosmopolitan, time-bound showbiz atmosphere.
Where
Long Island estate, The Purple Cafe, Paris
The story primarily unfolds on a sprawling Long Island estate used as a rehearsal hub for Gilbert's budding musical. The Purple Cafe scene provides a lively, chaotic backdrop where songs and schemes ignite a riotous turn of events. Paris appears briefly as Kling travels there, symbolizing the glamorous reach of show business during the era.
- 🏰 Estate on Long Island
- 🎭 Theatrical setting
What Are the Themes of Two for Tonight?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Showbiz, Romance and Money & Fortune.
-
01
Showbiz
The film centers on the creation and staging of a new musical, highlighting the hustle, creativity, and chaos of theater life. Characters jockey for opportunities, strike deals, and navigate the whims of publishers, producers, and audiences. It satirizes industry tropes while celebrating the dream of turning talent into a breakthrough hit.
-
02
Romance
Romantic entanglements drive much of the plot, with Gilbert pursuing love while managing professional ambitions. The relationships are tested by misunderstandings, rivalries, and the lure of money, yet loyalty and affection gradually steer the story toward a hopeful ending. The evolving dynamic between Gilbert and Bobbie anchors the emotional thread of the comedy.
-
03
Money & Fortune
Debt, inheritance, and sponsorship shape the characters' choices and opportunities. A widow’s financial predicaments, an inheritance from a Budapest-maker, and the need for a producer's backing create tension and drive the plot forward. Wealth acts as both a motivation and a complicating factor in the pursuit of art and happiness.
What Kind of Film Is Two for Tonight?
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, easygoing musical comedy that breezes through a series of farcical misunderstandings and romantic entanglements with a playful, optimistic spirit.
- charming
- playful
- hopeful
- romantic
- farcical
- musical
- show business
- family debt
- creative pressure
- romantic triangle
Quiz
How well do you remember Two for Tonight? Test yourself on the story.
