Nothing Sacred (1937) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A reporter's pursuit of a sensational story brings a falsely celebrated woman to New York, where romance and public embarrassment collide with the truth about her health.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Reporter in Disgrace

Wally is blamed for a false report and demoted to obituaries. He asks Stone for another chance and identifies Hazel's reported illness as a possible story.

Key Events

• Wally's Reporting Error — Wally is blamed for reporting Ernest Walker as an Eastern nobleman hosting a charity event. Characters: Wallace "Wally" Cook Location: New York
• Demoted to Obituaries — Stone demotes Wally to writing obituaries after the reporting error. Characters: Wallace "Wally" Cook, Oliver Stone Location: Morning Star newspaper office
• Wally Requests Another Chance — Wally pleads with Stone for another reporting opportunity. Characters: Wallace "Wally" Cook, Oliver Stone Location: Morning Star newspaper office
• Hazel's Story Is Proposed — Wally points out a report about Hazel, who is believed to be dying of radium poisoning. Characters: Wallace "Wally" Cook, Oliver Stone Location: Morning Star newspaper office
• Assignment to Warsaw — Stone sends Wally to interview Hazel in the fictional town of Warsaw. Characters: Wallace "Wally" Cook Location: Warsaw, Vermont

Hazel's Unexpected Truth

Wally travels to Warsaw to find Hazel. She is upset both because she has been told she is not dying and because she fears remaining in Vermont for her whole life.

Key Events

• Assignment to Warsaw — Stone sends Wally to interview Hazel in the fictional town of Warsaw. Characters: Wallace "Wally" Cook Location: Warsaw, Vermont
• Wally Searches for Hazel — Wally eventually locates Hazel to conduct the interview. Characters: Wallace "Wally" Cook, Hazel Flagg Location: Warsaw, Vermont
• Hazel Learns She Is Well — Hazel cries because her doctor has told her she is not dying. Characters: Hazel Flagg Location: Warsaw, Vermont
• Hazel Fears Staying in Vermont — Hazel is distressed by the prospect of remaining in Vermont for her whole life. Characters: Hazel Flagg Location: Warsaw, Vermont
• Invitation to New York — Unaware Hazel is not dying, Wally invites her and her doctor to New York as newspaper guests. Characters: Hazel Flagg, Wallace "Wally" Cook Location: Warsaw, Vermont

A City Celebrates Hazel

Wally brings Hazel and her doctor to New York as newspaper guests. The Morning Star promotes her story, and Hazel receives a parade and the key to the city.

Key Events

• Invitation to New York — Unaware Hazel is not dying, Wally invites her and her doctor to New York as newspaper guests. Characters: Hazel Flagg, Wallace "Wally" Cook Location: Warsaw, Vermont
• Newspaper Promotes Hazel — The Morning Star uses Hazel's story to increase its circulation. Characters: Hazel Flagg, Oliver Stone Location: New York
• Ticker-Tape Parade — Hazel receives a ticker-tape parade as a public figure. Characters: Hazel Flagg Location: New York
• Key to the City — Hazel is given the key to the city and becomes an inspiration to many. Characters: Hazel Flagg Location: New York
• Hazel and Wally Fall in Love — Hazel and Wally fall in love amid the public attention surrounding her story. Characters: Hazel Flagg, Wallace "Wally" Cook Location: New York

Love Under a False Belief

Hazel and Wally fall in love, and Wally proposes while believing she is dying. Four independent doctors later establish that Hazel is not really dying.

Key Events

• Hazel and Wally Fall in Love — Hazel and Wally fall in love amid the public attention surrounding her story. Characters: Hazel Flagg, Wallace "Wally" Cook Location: New York
• Wally Proposes — Wally asks Hazel to marry him while still believing she is dying. Characters: Hazel Flagg, Wallace "Wally" Cook Location: New York
• Independent Medical Examinations — Four independent doctors examine Hazel. Characters: Hazel Flagg Location: New York
• Hazel's Survival Confirmed — The examinations establish that Hazel is not really dying. Characters: Hazel Flagg Location: New York
• Officials Consider the Scandal — Stone and city officials seek to avoid embarrassment over Hazel's survival. Characters: Oliver Stone Location: New York

A Quiet New Beginning

Stone and city officials decide to avoid embarrassment by making Hazel's departure seem like a death. Hazel and Wally marry and quietly sail for the tropics.

Key Events

• Officials Consider the Scandal — Stone and city officials seek to avoid embarrassment over Hazel's survival. Characters: Oliver Stone Location: New York
• A Cover Story Is Planned — Stone and city officials decide it is better to make Hazel's departure seem like a death. Characters: Oliver Stone, Hazel Flagg Location: New York
• Hazel and Wally Marry — Hazel and Wally marry after Hazel's survival is confirmed. Characters: Hazel Flagg, Wallace "Wally" Cook Location: New York
• Departure for the Tropics — Hazel and Wally quietly set sail for the tropics. Characters: Hazel Flagg, Wallace "Wally" Cook Location: New York harbor

Story Breakdown

• Wally's Career Setback — A mistaken report damages Wally's standing at the newspaper, prompting him to seek a new assignment.
  • False Nobleman Report — Wally is blamed for reporting Ernest Walker as a nobleman hosting a charity event.
  • Obituary Demotion — Stone demotes Wally, who asks for another chance.
• The Hazel Assignment — Wally proposes Hazel's reported illness as a story and travels to interview her.
  • Story of Radium Poisoning — Wally points to a report that Hazel is believed to be dying of radium poisoning.
  • Journey to Warsaw — Stone sends Wally to the fictional town of Warsaw, Vermont.
• Hazel's Private Distress — Hazel's actual circumstances differ from the story Wally believes he is covering.
  • The Doctor's News — Hazel cries after her doctor tells her that she is not dying.
  • Fear of Vermont — Hazel is upset by the prospect of staying in Vermont for her whole life.
• New York Publicity — Hazel's visit becomes a newspaper campaign that brings her public attention.
  • Newspaper Invitation — Wally invites Hazel and her doctor to New York as guests of the Morning Star.
  • Parade and City Key — The newspaper promotes Hazel, who receives a ticker-tape parade and the key to the city.
• A Romance Takes Shape — Hazel and Wally develop a relationship while he still believes she is dying.
  • Falling in Love — Hazel and Wally fall in love amid the publicity surrounding her story.
  • Wally's Proposal — Wally asks Hazel to marry him while believing her illness is fatal.
• The Truth Emerges — Independent medical examinations overturn the belief that Hazel is dying and force officials to face the resulting embarrassment.
  • Four Doctors Examine Hazel — Four independent doctors conduct a medical examination.
  • Survival Confirmed — The examinations establish that Hazel is not really dying.
• An Embarrassing Cover Story — Stone and city officials decide how to avoid public embarrassment after Hazel's survival is revealed.
  • Officials' Decision — Stone and city officials decide to make Hazel's departure appear to be a death.
  • A Quiet Departure — Hazel and Wally marry and quietly set sail for the tropics.

Directed by

William A. Wellman

Key Cast

• Carole Lombard — Hazel Flagg
• Fredric March — Wallace "Wally" Cook
• Charles Winninger — Dr. Enoch Downer
• Walter Connolly — Oliver Stone
• Sig Ruman — Dr. Emil Eggelhoffer