Man-Proof (1938) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A young woman's fixation on a married playboy gradually gives way to recognition of the loyal love beside her.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Love Denied

The young woman hopes to marry Alan, but he chooses Elizabeth instead. She endures the wedding as a bridesmaid before confessing her feelings while drunk.

Key Events

• A Privileged but Unhappy Life — Meg's daughter appears privileged but suffers from unrequited love. Characters: Meg Swift Location: Meg Swift's home
• Warning About Alan — Jimmy warns about Alan's scandalous history with women. Characters: Jimmy Kilmartin, Alan Wythe Location: Meg Swift's home
• Alan Chooses Elizabeth — Alan marries heiress Elizabeth instead of the woman who loves him. Characters: Alan Wythe, Elizabeth Kent Location: Wedding preparations
• The Bridesmaid's Sacrifice — The heartbroken woman swallows her pride and serves as bridesmaid. Characters: Alan Wythe, Elizabeth Kent Location: Wedding ceremony
• A Drunken Confession — After overhearing gossip, the woman gets drunk and confesses her love to Alan. Characters: Alan Wythe Location: Wedding reception
• Two Attempts at Consolation — Jimmy and Meg separately try to comfort the devastated woman. Characters: Jimmy Kilmartin, Meg Swift Location: Meg Swift's home

Building a New Life

Meg encourages the young woman to leave home and pursue a career. Jimmy helps her obtain work at his newspaper, allowing her to regain confidence.

Key Events

• Two Attempts at Consolation — Jimmy and Meg separately try to comfort the devastated woman. Characters: Jimmy Kilmartin, Meg Swift Location: Meg Swift's home
• Leaving Home Behind — With Meg's encouragement, the woman moves out to build a career. Characters: Jimmy Kilmartin, Meg Swift Location: Meg Swift's home
• A Newspaper Opportunity — Jimmy arranges an illustrator position for the young woman. Characters: Jimmy Kilmartin Location: Newspaper office
• Months of Recovery — Months pass, and the woman becomes happier through her work. Characters: Jimmy Kilmartin Location: Newspaper office
• The Honeymooners Return — News of Alan and Elizabeth's return revives the woman's hidden feelings. Characters: Alan Wythe, Elizabeth Kent Location: Newspaper office

The Dangerous Reunion

Alan's return from his honeymoon reopens the old emotional wound. The young woman pretends to want only friendship, but their outings revive the affair.

Key Events

• The Honeymooners Return — News of Alan and Elizabeth's return revives the woman's hidden feelings. Characters: Alan Wythe, Elizabeth Kent Location: Newspaper office
• A False Friendship — The woman claims she has moved on and offers Alan friendship. Characters: Alan Wythe Location: City meeting place
• Night at the Boxing Match — Jimmy and Meg spot the woman attending a boxing match with Alan. Characters: Jimmy Kilmartin, Meg Swift, Alan Wythe Location: Boxing arena
• Love Admitted Again — After a joyful night, the woman admits she still loves Alan to Jimmy. Characters: Jimmy Kilmartin Location: Private meeting place
• Jimmy Opposes the Affair — Jimmy tries to stop the woman from disrupting Alan's marriage. Characters: Jimmy Kilmartin, Alan Wythe Location: Private meeting place

A Marriage Under Threat

The young woman admits to Jimmy that she still loves Alan and informs Elizabeth of her feelings. Alan considers continuing the affair despite Jimmy's objections.

Key Events

• Jimmy Opposes the Affair — Jimmy tries to stop the woman from disrupting Alan's marriage. Characters: Jimmy Kilmartin, Alan Wythe Location: Private meeting place
• Elizabeth Learns the Truth — The woman calls Elizabeth and reveals her feelings for Alan. Characters: Elizabeth Kent Location: Telephone exchange
• Alan Plans the Affair — Despite Jimmy's discouragement, Alan meets the woman intending to continue the affair. Characters: Jimmy Kilmartin, Alan Wythe Location: Private meeting place
• Divorce Threat Revealed — Alan becomes worried when he learns that divorce is now being demanded. Characters: Alan Wythe, Elizabeth Kent Location: Private meeting place
• Elizabeth Confronts Alan — Elizabeth blames Alan's selfishness, and he agrees before leaving with her. Characters: Alan Wythe, Elizabeth Kent Location: Alan Wythe's residence

Choosing a Truer Love

Elizabeth confronts Alan, and he leaves with her to save their marriage. Jimmy consoles the young woman, and their long-standing emotional bond becomes openly romantic.

Key Events

• Elizabeth Confronts Alan — Elizabeth blames Alan's selfishness, and he agrees before leaving with her. Characters: Alan Wythe, Elizabeth Kent Location: Alan Wythe's residence
• Jimmy Offers Final Comfort — Jimmy consoles the crushed woman, and they end their moral quarrel. Characters: Jimmy Kilmartin, Meg Swift Location: Meg Swift's home
• Love Recognized at Last — At Meg's home, Jimmy and the young woman realize their enduring love and kiss. Characters: Jimmy Kilmartin, Meg Swift Location: Meg Swift's home

Story Breakdown

• Unanswered Devotion — The young woman begins with an intense but unreturned love for Alan.
  • Alan's Scandalous Past — Jimmy warns that Alan has a history involving women.
  • Hope for Marriage — The young woman remains determined to become Alan's wife.
• Wedding Betrayal — Alan's marriage to Elizabeth turns private longing into public heartbreak.
  • Elizabeth Chosen — Alan marries the heiress instead of the woman who loves him.
  • Public Confession — The wedding gossip and alcohol lead to an emotional confession.
• Independent Recovery — Meg and Jimmy help the young woman separate herself from Alan.
  • Leaving Meg's Home — She moves into an apartment to begin a new life.
  • Newspaper Career — Jimmy arranges an illustrator position at his newspaper.
• Rekindled Temptation — Alan's return causes the young woman's suppressed feelings to resurface.
  • Friendship Proposal — She claims to want friendship and agrees to go out with Alan.
  • Boxing Match — Jimmy and Meg become worried after seeing them together.
• Marriage Crisis — The affair threatens Alan and Elizabeth's marriage and exposes competing moral views.
  • Jimmy's Objection — Jimmy urges the young woman not to break up the marriage.
  • Truth Told to Elizabeth — The young woman directly informs Elizabeth of her feelings.
• Elizabeth's Choice — Elizabeth confronts Alan, and he chooses to accompany her rather than continue the affair.
  • Selfishness Exposed — Elizabeth blames Alan for acting selfishly in the marriage.
  • Marriage Saved — Alan leaves with Elizabeth in an effort to save their relationship.
• Unexpected Resolution — The collapse of the affair clears the way for a more faithful emotional bond.
  • Moral Quarrel Ends — Jimmy and the young woman stop arguing over their different views of morality.
  • Longstanding Love — At Meg's home, Jimmy and the young woman realize they have loved each other.

Directed by

Richard Thorpe

Key Cast

• Myrna Loy — Mimi Swift
• Franchot Tone — Jimmy Kilmartin
• Rosalind Russell — Elizabeth Kent
• Walter Pidgeon — Alan Wythe
• Nana Bryant — Meg Swift