A wealthy heiress uses her secretary as a decoy to test a soldier's love, leading to comedic mix-ups that ultimately reveal genuine affection.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Wealthy Decoy Setup
Nora Hunter utilizes her secretary Sylvia as a public decoy while guardian Jonathan Connors fiercely protects her privacy. A press photographer incident forces Connors to destroy evidence, establishing the film's central deception.
Key Events
War Return & Estate Gaze — Tony returns from war and observes Nora's wealthy estate. Location: Santa Barbara Coast
Wealthy Heiress Introduction — Nora lives in luxury with secretary Sylvia acting as her public face. Characters: Sylvia LockwoodLocation: Hunter Estate
Guardian's Vigilance — Connors fiercely protects Nora's privacy from public intrusion. Characters: Jonathan ConnorsLocation: Estate Gates
Press Photographer Incident — Connors spots a photographer and ensures the film is ruined. Characters: Jonathan ConnorsLocation: Ship Launch
Sylvia's Resignation Plan — Sylvia announces her departure to follow husband Phil to Washington. Characters: Sylvia LockwoodLocation: Estate Study
Romantic Complications
Donald's sudden betrayal shatters Nora's wedding plans, prompting a tea party where Sylvia impersonates Nora again. Tony Travis develops an interest in Sylvia, leading to a beach house invitation that shifts the romantic dynamics.
Key Events
Sylvia's Resignation Plan — Sylvia announces her departure to follow husband Phil to Washington. Characters: Sylvia LockwoodLocation: Estate Study
Wedding Arrangement — Nora accelerates her wedding to Donald so Sylvia can serve as maid of honor. Characters: Donald, Sylvia LockwoodLocation: Estate Garden
Fiancé's Betrayal — Donald returns from duty and reveals he has fallen in love with another. Characters: DonaldLocation: Estate Parlor
Tea Party Deception — Sylvia impersonates Nora at a tea party, catching Tony's attention. Characters: Sylvia LockwoodLocation: Estate Terrace
Tony's Vow of Love — Tony declares that love matters more than money to him. Location: Tea Party
Beach House Invitation — Nora and Sylvia invite Tony to a weekend at their beach house. Characters: Sylvia LockwoodLocation: Estate Driveway
Beach House Chaos
Nora facilitates Tony's courtship of Sylvia to test his sincerity, but drunken celebrations lead to a hasty proposal. Phil Vernon's late-night visit triggers a violent morning confrontation, escalating the comedic mix-ups.
Key Events
Beach House Invitation — Nora and Sylvia invite Tony to a weekend at their beach house. Characters: Sylvia LockwoodLocation: Estate Driveway
Courtship Facilitation — Nora actively helps Tony court Sylvia to test his genuine feelings. Characters: Sylvia LockwoodLocation: Beach House
Friends' Skepticism — Friends warn Nora that no one can resist such wealth, but she persists. Location: Beach House Lounge
Drunk Proposal — Tipsy Sylvia accepts Tony's marriage proposal during the weekend. Characters: Sylvia LockwoodLocation: Beach House Bar
Late Night Sneak — Phil sneaks into Sylvia's room for a late-night hug. Characters: Phil Vernon, Sylvia LockwoodLocation: Sylvia's Bedroom
Morning Punch — Tony punches Phil upon seeing him leave Sylvia's room. Characters: Phil VernonLocation: Beach House Hallway
Truth & Honeymoon
Nora confesses the room switch, prompting Tony to pursue the real Nora for marriage. Their honeymoon at a motel culminates in Nora's identity revelation, followed by a moment of genuine connection that resolves the deception.
Key Events
Morning Punch — Tony punches Phil upon seeing him leave Sylvia's room. Characters: Phil VernonLocation: Beach House Hallway
Room Switch Confession — Nora reveals she and Sylvia switched rooms that night. Location: Beach House Veranda
Realization & Pursuit — Tony realizes he loves the real Nora and carries her away to marry. Location: Beach House Garden
Honeymoon Arrival — The couple arrives at a modest motel for their honeymoon. Location: Cheap Motel
Identity Revelation — Nora finally confesses her true identity to Tony. Location: Motel Room
Tony's Disgust — Tony feels repulsed by the deception and begins to pack. Location: Motel Room
Nightgown Sight — Tony sees Nora in her nightgown for the first time and stays. Location: Motel Room
Story Resolution — The couple reconciles, embracing their relationship despite the mix-ups. Location: Motel Room
Story Breakdown
Decoy Setup Phase — Establishes the central deception and privacy protocols surrounding the wealthy heiress.
Guardian Vigilance — Connors monitors estate security to prevent public exposure.
Press Incident — A photographer's ruined film triggers heightened security measures.
Nightgown Sight — A moment of vulnerability bridges the gap between deception and love.
The staggeringly wealthy Norah Hunter, a shipyard owner, too often finds herself the romantic target of gold-digging men. To attract a suitor whose main interest is not money, she changes places with her secretary, Sylvia Lockwood, and assumes the role of a young working woman. However, she then falls for recuperating fighter pilot Anthony Travis, who, in turn, is madly in love with Sylvia -- or, perhaps, with the millions he thinks she has.
