Around the World (1943) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A wartime entertainment tour moves from cheerful performances and comic adventures toward personal grief and emotional recovery through music.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Songs Across the Front

The touring troupe performs for troops in Australia and prepares to continue its wartime journey. Marcy McGuire secretly boards the aircraft after being refused permission to travel.

Key Events

• Australian Troop Performance — The troupe concludes a performance of Waltzing Matilda while troops join the singing. Characters: Mischa Auer, Joan Davis, Georgia Carroll Location: Australia
• Farewell Song Begins — The troupe sings Roodle-ee-doo and begins its signature farewell number. Characters: Mischa Auer, Joan Davis, Georgia Carroll Location: Australia
• The Stowaway Appears — Marcy McGuire asks to join the journey, is refused, and secretly boards the aircraft. Characters: Marcy McGuire Location: Airport and Clipper aircraft
• New Delhi Immigration Problem — American authorities insist that Marcy be returned to Australia after discovering her aboard the aircraft. Characters: Marcy McGuire Location: New Delhi

The Unwanted Passenger

Authorities in New Delhi discover Marcy and demand that she be returned to Australia. The troupe leader accepts responsibility for her, keeping her with the traveling performers.

Key Events

• Responsibility Accepted — The troupe leader offers to take responsibility for Marcy, allowing the journey to continue. Characters: Marcy McGuire Location: New Delhi
• Relic Collecting Bet — Mischa Auer becomes involved in a wager over who can collect the finest historical relics. Characters: Mischa Auer Location: Travel route to China
• Flight Toward Chongqing — The troupe sings Roodle-ee-doo while traveling toward Chongqing. Characters: Mischa Auer, Joan Davis, Georgia Carroll, Marcy McGuire Location: Aircraft over China

The Dangerous Relic

Auer's relic-collecting wager leads to the acquisition of a ring containing a secret Nazi document. The hidden map transforms a playful contest into a matter for the Army.

Key Events

• The Borgia Ring — Auer obtains a ring believed to have belonged to the Borgias. Characters: Mischa Auer Location: Chongqing travel route
• Chongqing Wartime Show — A romantic duet and a dance number lead into the troupe's farewell song as aircraft pass overhead. Characters: Mischa Auer, Joan Davis, Georgia Carroll, Marcy McGuire Location: Chongqing
• Auer Faces a Duel — Auer is approached by a countess and inadvertently provokes a formal duel. Characters: Mischa Auer Location: Chongqing
• Electrified Foil Trick — A concealed electrical trick knocks Auer's opponent unconscious and ends the duel. Characters: Mischa Auer Location: Chongqing
• Cairo Variety Show — The troupe presents comic and musical numbers, including songs performed by Davis and others. Characters: Joan Davis, Georgia Carroll Location: Cairo
• The Ring Is Wanted — The Nazis obtain the ring, but its hidden compartment has already been opened. Characters: Mischa Auer Location: Cairo
• Secret Map Recovered — Auer removes a map from the ring's secret compartment before it is lost. Characters: Mischa Auer Location: Cairo
• The Relic Bet Ends — The map is declared important enough for the Army, so the ring wager is abandoned. Characters: Mischa Auer Location: Cairo

Entertainment Through the Desert

The troupe continues performing in Cairo and Tunisia while traveling through difficult desert terrain. Its shows provide music and comic relief for military audiences.

Key Events

• Crossing Tunisia — The troupe crosses desert country by jeep and truck to reach its next audience. Characters: Mischa Auer, Joan Davis, Georgia Carroll Location: Tunisia
• Desert Audience Games — Nurses and WACs attend the show, and two audience members win wristwatches by identifying songs. Characters: Joan Davis, Georgia Carroll Location: Tunisia
• Journey Through North Africa — The troupe moves onward through Algiers and Casablanca before reaching Monrovia. Characters: Mischa Auer, Joan Davis, Georgia Carroll Location: Algiers, Casablanca, and Monrovia

A Daughter's Final Song

In Monrovia, Marcy learns that her father died aboard a transport and receives his Purple Heart. After grieving, she returns to the stage and completes the troupe's signature song.

Key Events

• Marcy Receives No Mail — Everyone receives mail except Marcy, who is summoned to meet a general. Characters: Marcy McGuire Location: Monrovia camp
• The Purple Heart — Marcy learns that her father died aboard a transport and receives his Purple Heart and a presidential letter. Characters: Marcy McGuire Location: Monrovia camp
• Marcy Flees in Grief — Marcy says she will never sing again, runs through the camp crying, and is comforted by the general. Characters: Marcy McGuire Location: Monrovia camp
• The Final Complete Song — Marcy returns to the stage as the introduction begins, and the farewell song is finally performed in full. Characters: Marcy McGuire, Joan Davis, Georgia Carroll Location: Monrovia performance stage

Story Breakdown

• Wartime Performance Tour — The troupe travels between battlefront locations to entertain troops and support the wartime effort.
  • Australian Opening — The film begins with a performance of Waltzing Matilda for troops in Australia.
  • International Farewell — The troupe repeatedly prepares its signature farewell song as it moves between locations.
• Marcy's Secret Journey — Marcy forces her way into the tour and becomes connected to the troupe's continuing travels.
  • Stowaway Aboard — Marcy hides aboard the Clipper after being refused permission to join the journey.
  • Responsibility Accepted — The troupe leader takes responsibility for Marcy when authorities demand her return.
• The Hidden Ring — A collection wager unexpectedly exposes a secret document connected to the enemy.
  • Relic Collecting — Auer pursues historical objects as part of a wager during the tour.
  • Secret Map — A map is removed from the ring's hidden compartment before the ring reaches the Nazis.
• Comic Dangers Abroad — The troupe encounters theatrical and physical dangers while continuing to perform across wartime locations.
  • Chongqing Duel — Auer becomes involved in a duel that ends through an electrical trick.
  • Desert Shows — The performers cross Tunisia and entertain nurses and WACs with songs and games.
• North African Passage — The tour proceeds through several locations before reaching the emotional turning point in Monrovia.
  • Cairo Performances — Comic and musical numbers are staged in Cairo after the ring incident.
  • Monrovia Arrival — The troupe reaches Monrovia and receives mail from home.
• Marcy's Loss — Marcy's personal story becomes central when she learns that her father died during the war.
  • Purple Heart News — Marcy receives her father's Purple Heart and a letter from the President.
  • Grief In The Camp — She rejects singing, flees in tears, and must confront her loss.
• Return To The Stage — Music provides a final emotional release as Marcy returns to the troupe's performance.
  • Song Introduction — The troupe begins introducing its signature farewell number without Marcy.
  • Complete Finale — Marcy runs back to the stage and the song is performed in full for the first time.

Directed by

Allan Dwan

Key Cast

• Kay Kyser — Kay Kyser
• Mischa Auer — Mischa Auer
• Joan Davis — Joan Davis
• Marcy McGuire — Marcy McGuire
• Wally Brown — Wally