That Certain Feeling (1956) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A former couple reunites when a ghostwriting scheme exposes the conflict between polished social ambition and genuine affection.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Names We Leave Behind

Dunreath Henry appears to have a polished New York life as Larry Larkin's secretary and fiancée. Her earlier identity and marriage to Francis X. Dignan establish the emotional history beneath that façade.

Key Events

• Dunreath's Manhattan Identity — Dunreath presents herself as a sophisticated secretary and fiancée. Characters: Dunreath Henry, Larry Larkin Location: New York
• Ethel Jankowski Revealed — Dunreath's former identity as Ethel Jankowski is revealed. Characters: Dunreath Henry Location: Port Huron, Michigan
• Dignan's Former Marriage — Dunreath was once married to the cartoonist Dignan. Characters: Francis X. Dignan, Dunreath Henry Location: Port Huron, Michigan
• Dignan's Capp Connection — Dignan is identified as a former associate of Al Capp. Characters: Francis X. Dignan, Al Capp Location: Earlier cartooning career

A Scheme In The Penthouse

Larry's comic strip loses favor with its syndicate while he leaves on business. Dunreath recruits the reluctant Dignan to ghost-write the strip in Larry's absence.

Key Events

• Syndicate Rejects Strip — Larry's syndicate complains that Snips and Runty has lost its humor. Characters: Larry Larkin, Dunreath Henry Location: New York
• Larry Leaves Town — Larry leaves on a business trip while Dunreath plans their honeymoon. Characters: Larry Larkin, Dunreath Henry Location: New York
• Dunreath Hires Dignan — Dunreath schemes to hire Dignan to write Larry's strip. Characters: Dunreath Henry, Francis X. Dignan Location: New York
• Dignan Resists The Job — Dignan objects to the assignment and dislikes the absent Larkin. Characters: Francis X. Dignan, Dunreath Henry Location: New York
• Money Overcomes Resistance — Dignan accepts because he needs money for psychiatric treatment. Characters: Francis X. Dignan Location: New York

Success Rekindles Trouble

Dignan's strips become humorous and successful inside Larry's Manhattan penthouse. As Dunreath's old feelings return, Gussie begins encouraging the former couple.

Key Events

• Penthouse Collaboration — Dignan begins working inside Larry's penthouse while Larry is away. Characters: Francis X. Dignan, Dunreath Henry, Gussie Location: Larry Larkin's Manhattan penthouse
• The New Strips Succeed — Dignan's humorous strips become a hit. Characters: Francis X. Dignan, Dunreath Henry Location: Manhattan penthouse
• Old Feelings Return — Dunreath's old feelings for Dignan begin to return. Characters: Francis X. Dignan, Dunreath Henry, Gussie Location: Manhattan penthouse
• Gussie Plays Matchmaker — Gussie encourages the renewed connection between the former spouses. Characters: Gussie, Francis X. Dignan, Dunreath Henry Location: Manhattan penthouse

Publicity Meets Conscience

Larry's planned adoption publicity reveals his desire for a child and dog who resemble his comic figures. Dignan rejects the plan and responds with an oversized hound and a damaging cartoon.

Key Events

• Adoption Publicity Plan — Larry plans to present an adopted child and a small dog for publicity. Characters: Larry Larkin, Francis X. Dignan, Dunreath Henry Location: Manhattan penthouse
• Dignan Rejects The Publicity — Dignan is offended by Larry's apparent use of a child for publicity. Characters: Francis X. Dignan, Larry Larkin Location: Manhattan penthouse
• The Huge Hound Arrives — Instead of a small dog, Dignan brings home the gigantic hound Happy. Characters: Francis X. Dignan, Larry Larkin Location: Manhattan penthouse
• Delinquent Comic Drawing — Dignan draws Snips as a juvenile delinquent using Larkin's name. Characters: Francis X. Dignan, Larry Larkin Location: Manhattan penthouse
• Matching Pajamas Discovery — Larry returns and finds Dignan and Dunreath in matching pajamas after drinking martinis. Characters: Larry Larkin, Francis X. Dignan, Dunreath Henry Location: Manhattan penthouse

Love On Live Television

Larry finds Dignan and Dunreath in matching pajamas and fires Dignan before the broadcast. Dignan interrupts the live appearance, declares his love, and prompts Dunreath to leave Larry and her assumed identity.

Key Events

• Matching Pajamas Discovery — Larry returns and finds Dignan and Dunreath in matching pajamas after drinking martinis. Characters: Larry Larkin, Francis X. Dignan, Dunreath Henry Location: Manhattan penthouse
• Dignan Gets Fired — Larry fires Dignan immediately before the live television appearance. Characters: Larry Larkin, Francis X. Dignan Location: Manhattan penthouse
• Live Television Interruption — Dignan interrupts the live interview and declares his love for Dunreath. Characters: Francis X. Dignan, Dunreath Henry, Larry Larkin Location: Manhattan penthouse
• Dunreath Rejects Her Engagement — Dunreath decides to leave Larry and abandon her sophisticated new name. Characters: Dunreath Henry, Larry Larkin, Francis X. Dignan Location: Manhattan penthouse
• A New Life Together — Dunreath chooses a life with Dignan, the orphan, and Happy. Characters: Francis X. Dignan, Dunreath Henry Location: New York

Story Breakdown

• Dunreath's Polished Identity — Dunreath's sophisticated New York persona conceals her earlier life and marriage.
  • New York Engagement — Dunreath is Larry's private secretary and fiancée.
  • Former Name Revealed — She was once known as Ethel Jankowski in Port Huron.
• Dignan's Troubled Career — Dignan is a talented but neurotic cartoonist with a difficult professional history.
  • Capp Association — He was once an associate of Al Capp.
  • Need For Money — He needs payment for psychiatric treatment.
• The Ghostwriting Scheme — Dunreath secretly brings Dignan into Larry's comic-strip business.
  • Syndicate Complaint — Larry's syndicate says the strip is no longer funny.
  • Reluctant Hiring — Dignan accepts the ghostwriting job despite disliking Larry.
• Penthouse Comic Success — Dignan's work improves the strip while he operates from Larry's penthouse.
  • Successful New Strips — His humorous strips become a hit.
  • Gussie's Matchmaking — Gussie encourages the former spouses' renewed connection.
• Publicity And Conscience — Larry's media ambitions clash with Dignan's concern for the child involved.
  • Adoption Display — Larry wants a child and dog to support his public image.
  • Happy The Hound — Dignan brings home a gigantic hound instead of a small dog.
• Artistic Rebellion — Dignan uses comic material to challenge Larry's values and authority.
  • Delinquent Snips — He draws Snips as a juvenile delinquent using Larry's name.
  • Larry's Anger — The cartoon intensifies the conflict between the two cartoonists.
• Broadcast Showdown — Larry's return turns the penthouse tension into a public romantic crisis.
  • Pajama Discovery — Larry finds Dignan and Dunreath together in matching pajamas.
  • Dignan Fired — Larry dismisses Dignan before the live television appearance.
• Choosing Authentic Love — Dignan's public declaration allows Dunreath to abandon Larry and her constructed identity.
  • Live Declaration — Dignan interrupts the broadcast and declares his love for Dunreath.
  • New Life Together — Dunreath chooses Dignan and a life beyond her sophisticated persona.

Directed by

Melvin Frank, Norman Panama

Key Cast

• Bob Hope — Francis X. Dignan
• Eva Marie Saint — Dunreath Henry
• George Sanders — Larry Larkin
• Pearl Bailey — Gussie
• David Lewis — Joe Wickes