What Is Two Smart People About?
The premise of Two Smart People in 278 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the glittering twilight of a criminal career, Ace Connors lives life at a breakneck pace. He is a charismatic swindler whose days of freedom are numbered, creating a palpable tension that underscores every interaction. Facing an impending prison sentence, Ace is granted a brief, lavish window of time—a five-day spree defined by gourmet meals and high-stakes indulgence. This period of grace serves as the backdrop for a story where the clock is always ticking, and the shadow of incarceration looms ever closer, transforming every fine dining experience into a potential last supper.
The pursuit of this elusive figure brings together two contrasting forces: Bob Simms, a dedicated detective representing the arm of the law, and Ricki Woodner, a fellow con artist whose interests are far more personal and complex. Ricki is a woman who knows the game as well as anyone, possessing a sharp intellect and a talent for deception that rivals Ace’s own. As these three personalities collide, the line between hunter and prey begins to blur. The dynamic creates a fascinating push and pull, where professional duty contends with criminal cunning and an unexpected romantic spark threatens to derail everyone’s plans.
Amidst the pulsing tension and the threat of sudden violence, a fast-paced romance brews, mixing gunfights with genuine emotion. The race to track down the swindler before his time runs out becomes a test of wits and loyalty. With deception lurking around every corner, the characters must navigate a treacherous path where trust is a luxury they cannot afford. The journey promises a blend of suspense and style, leading toward a confrontation where the only certainty is that nothing is exactly as it seems.
What Happens in Two Smart People?
The complete story of Two Smart People, from the first scene to the last, in 237 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Ace Connors [John Hodiak] is a con man who has half a million dollars in bonds hidden in a cookbook. When he tries to sell a bogus oil investment to Dwight Chadwick [Lloyd Corrigan] at a Beverly Hills hotel, Dwight’s attractive friend, Ricki Woodner [Lucille Ball], intervenes with a scam of her own.
Ace is about to go to prison for his part in the theft of the bonds. He arranges a deal to reduce his sentence by testifying, angering his former partner in crime, Fly Feletti [Elisha Cook Jr.].
A cop, Bob Simms [Lloyd Nolan], is assigned to accompany Ace on the train from Los Angeles to New York. The passengers include Ricki, who is falling for Ace and wants to help, and Fly, who wants to keep Ace from making it to New York.
Along the way, Ace and Ricki manage to get off the train in New Orleans to enjoy Mardi Gras together. When they do, Ace leaves the book at a costume shop, confident no one will notice it until he returns for it. During a romantic moment around midnight, Ace reveals to Ricki where he’s hidden the bonds. Fly makes his move, but Simms is able to beat him to the draw. Ace fears that con artist Ricki has taken it on the lam with his dough, but she turns up, ready to wait for Ace till he’s out of Sing Sing.
Two Smart People Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Bond stash hidden in cookbook; Beverly Hills con begins” to “Ricki's vow endures: waiting for Ace”. 12 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Bond stash hidden in cookbook; Beverly Hills con begins
Ace Connors hides half a million dollars in bonds inside a cookbook. He tries to sell a bogus oil investment to Dwight Chadwick at a Beverly Hills hotel, masking the real theft with a slick con. The setup foreshadows the danger Ace faces from both law and rival con artists.
Where:Beverly Hills (hotel)
- 2
Ricki intervenes with a counter-scam
Ricki Woodner, Dwight's attractive friend, interrupts the Beverly Hills scheme with a counter-con of her own. Her intervention shows she can outmaneuver Ace and adds a new, unpredictable layer to the scheme. The moment marks the start of a tense, evolving dynamic between them.
Where:Beverly Hills
- 3
Ace faces prison; agrees to testify to shorten sentence
Ace is on the brink of going to prison for the theft of the bonds. He arranges a deal to reduce his sentence by testifying, which enrages his former partner Fly Feletti. The decision sets in motion a cross-country pursuit to keep the bonds safe and his freedom intact.
Where:Los Angeles
- 4
Bob Simms is assigned to escort Ace on the train
Detective Bob Simms is tasked with accompanying Ace on the train from Los Angeles to New York. The long journey becomes a tense corridor for shifting loyalties, with Ricki and Fly pulling at opposite sides. Simms' presence adds pressure and a watchful eye over every move.
Where:Train from Los Angeles to New York
- 5
Passengers onboard: Ricki grows closer; Fly remains a threat
On the train, Ricki falls for Ace and wants to help him, while Fly Feletti remains intent on derailing the plan. The conflicting loyalties create constant tension among the travelers. Simms keeps a vigilant watch over the evolving dynamics as the trip continues.
Where:On board the train (LA to NY)
- 6
Mardi Gras detour: New Orleans stop
Ace and Ricki slip off the train to enjoy Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The festive atmosphere provides cover for their budding romance and a chance to act away from prying eyes. The detour reshapes the stakes as time pressure mounts.
Where:New Orleans
- 7
Ace leaves the bonds book at a costume shop
In New Orleans, Ace leaves the cookbook containing the bonds at a costume shop, confident it will go unnoticed until he can retrieve it. Ricki's presence adds a sense of risk to the plan. The move dramatically increases the chances of discovery if someone notices the misplaced item.
Where:New Orleans (costume shop)
- 8
Midnight revelation: bonds' location disclosed
Around midnight, Ace reveals to Ricki where the bonds are hidden—in the cookbook. The disclosure heightens the stakes as trust and danger hinge on keeping the stash safe. The moment intensifies their bond and the con's momentum.
When:midnight Where:New Orleans
- 9
Fly's move thwarted by Simms
Fly makes a bold move to seize the bonds, but Simms arrives in time to beat him to the draw. The thwarted attempt underscores how close danger sits to the surface on the journey. The rivalry between Simms and Fly adds another layer of tension to the voyage.
Where:On the train (between LA and NY)
- 10
Ricki's loyalty tested; waits at Sing Sing
Despite the peril, Ricki remains loyal and prepares to wait for Ace's release. She vows to stand by him through whatever comes next, even if it means facing Sing Sing herself. Her resolve highlights the theme of loyalty amid deception.
When:after sentencing Where:Sing Sing (prison)
- 11
Approaching resolution; the fate of the bonds looms
As legal and criminal pressures mount, the plan edges toward a verdict. Simms maintains his guard, ensuring Ace reaches the courtroom, while the bonds and loyalties hang in the balance. The momentum builds toward a final confrontation that could alter everyone's fate.
Where:New York (courtroom vicinity)
- 12
Ricki's vow endures: waiting for Ace
The story closes with Ricki prepared to wait for Ace through his Sing Sing sentence. Her patience and faith in their partnership stand in contrast to the volatility of the con world. The ending reinforces loyalty as a central, redeeming thread.
Where:Sing Sing
Who Are the Main Characters in Two Smart People?
5 characters, among them Ace Connors (John Hodiak), Ricki Woodner (Lucille Ball) and Fly Feletti (Elisha Cook Jr.): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- AC
Ace Connors (John Hodiak)
Played by John Hodiak
A seasoned con man who hides a fortune of bonds and uses calculated charm to navigate danger. He plans to testify to reduce his sentence, only to trigger a dangerous chain of double-crosses. Pragmatic, self-preserving, and always several steps ahead of his rivals.
- 🎭 Deception
- 💰 Greed
- 🧠 Mastermind
-
Ricki Woodner (Lucille Ball)
Played by Lucille Ball
An attractive, quick-thinking friend who intervenes with a scam of her own. She is drawn to Ace and willing to help, complicating loyalties with flashes of charm and resourcefulness. Her motives and trustworthiness keep others guessing throughout the journey.
- 💘 Romance
- 🎭 Trickery
- 🧭 Determination
-
Fly Feletti (Elisha Cook Jr.)
Played by Elisha Cook Jr.
Ace’s former partner who resents the deal Ace makes and schemes to derail him. He is determined, sly, and willing to take risks to keep his share of the crime. His presence creates constant tension as the pursuit tightens on the moving train.
- 🎭 Rivalry
- 🧠 Cunning
- 🧭 Opportunist
-
Bob Simms (Lloyd Nolan)
Played by Lloyd Nolan
A cautious cop assigned to accompany Ace and keep him in check. He embodies duty and integrity, aiming to prevent a miscarriage of justice. He races to outpace Fly and ensure the truth comes to light before Ace reaches Sing Sing.
- 🕵️♂️ Detective
- 🛡️ Protective
- 🧭 Steadfast
- DC
Dwight Chandwick (Dwight Chadwick)
Played by Lloyd Corrigan
The target of Ace’s bogus oil investment scheme. A wary, potentially wealthy investor who becomes a focal point of Ace’s con. His interactions reveal the depth of Ace’s manipulation and Ricki’s opportunistic interference.
- 💼 Target
- 💸 Wealth
- 🧠 Skeptical
Where and When Is Two Smart People Set?
Two Smart People is set in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, New Orleans and cross-country train from Los…. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, New Orleans, cross-country train from Los Angeles to New York
The story begins in a Beverly Hills hotel, then moves onto a long transcontinental train bound for New York. The journey passes through New Orleans, where Mardi Gras adds color and distraction to the tense game of con artistry. These locations create a mobile stage for deception, pursuit, and evolving relationships between the characters.
- 🗺️ Cityscapes
- 🚂 Rail journey
- 🎡 Mardi Gras backdrop
What Are the Themes of Two Smart People?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Deception, Romance and Pursuit.
-
01
Deception
Deception drives the plot as Ace hides bonds in a cookbook and Ricki mounts a counter-scam. The film juxtaposes multiple cons, shifting loyalties, and the erosion of trust among allies. Every move on the train heightens the stakes, revealing how easily appearances can mislead.
-
02
Romance
Romantic feelings complicate the moral calculus of crime. Ricki’s attraction to Ace blurs lines between ally and adversary, while distrust and desire pull the characters in opposing directions. The romance adds emotional tension to the risk-filled journey.
-
03
Pursuit
A cop and a rival con artist chase Ace across moving scenery, turning the train into a courtroom on wheels. The pursuit tests nerve, cleverness, and nerve under pressure. Confrontations peak at moments of misdirection and opportunity, culminating in a high-stakes showdown.
What Kind of Film Is Two Smart People?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A fast-paced and suspenseful romantic drama that mixes gunfights with clever cons, set against the vibrant backdrop of Mardi Gras, creating a chase filled with tension and a spark of unexpected romance.
- suspenseful
- romantic
- fast-paced
- deceptive
- chasing
- playful
- con artists
- on the run
- crime partnership
- hidden loot
Where to Watch Two Smart People
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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