Somewhat Secret (1939) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An assistant dean's strict opposition to swing music is complicated when her boyfriend is revealed to be a chemistry professor and a prominent swing bandleader.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Strict School Rule

The story begins at Dimsdale Hall Finishing School. Assistant Dean Emily Godsall establishes a severe stance against students associating with swing music.

Key Events

• Dimsdale Hall School — Emily Godsall serves as assistant dean at the finishing school. Characters: Assistant Dean Emily Godsall Location: Dimsdale Hall Finishing School

Punishment Declared

Emily publicly declares that students connected with swing music will be severely punished. Her announcement creates the central tension described in the plot.

Key Events

• Swing Music Ban — Emily declares that students associating with swing music will be severely punished. Characters: Assistant Dean Emily Godsall Location: Dimsdale Hall Finishing School

The Complication Emerges

Complications develop when Emily learns unexpected information about her boyfriend. The discovery directly challenges the position she has announced at school.

Key Events

• Complications Develop — Emily discovers information that complicates her anti-swing policy. Characters: Assistant Dean Emily Godsall Location: Dimsdale Hall Finishing School

A Musical Revelation

Emily discovers that her boyfriend is both a chemistry professor at the school and a well-known swing bandleader. This revelation creates the story's central personal conflict.

Key Events

• Boyfriend's Double Life — Emily learns that her boyfriend is a chemistry professor and a famous swing bandleader. Characters: Assistant Dean Emily Godsall Location: Dimsdale Hall Finishing School

Story Breakdown

• School Setting — The story is situated at Dimsdale Hall Finishing School, where Emily Godsall serves as assistant dean.
  • Dimsdale Hall — The events take place at Dimsdale Hall Finishing School.
  • Emily's Authority — Emily is identified as the school's assistant dean.
• Swing Music Ban — Emily declares a severe disciplinary policy against students who associate with swing music.
  • Public Declaration — Emily states that association with swing music will bring severe punishment.
  • Student Pressure — The declared punishment places swing-associated students under threat.
• Unexpected Complication — Information about Emily's boyfriend undermines the simplicity of her anti-swing position.
  • Boyfriend Revealed — Emily discovers a significant fact about her boyfriend.
  • Policy Conflict — Her declared rule conflicts with the discovery concerning her boyfriend.
• Professional Identity — Emily's boyfriend has a professional role connected to the school.
  • Chemistry Professor — He is identified as a chemistry professor at the school.
  • School Connection — His professional position places him within Emily's school environment.
• Musical Identity — The boyfriend's public musical identity creates the central contradiction.
  • Swing Bandleader — He is described as a well-known swing bandleader.
  • Double Identity — His chemistry-professor role coexists with his swing-bandleader identity.
• Personal Conflict — Emily must confront the tension between her institutional rule and her boyfriend's connection to swing music.
  • Rule Versus Romance — Emily's anti-swing declaration conflicts with her relationship with the swing bandleader.
  • Central Complication — The boyfriend's two identities produce the story's stated complication.

Directed by

Sammy Lee

Key Cast

• Mary Howard — Assistant Dean Emily Godsall
• Benny Rubin — Swingopater Trombonist
• Tom Collins — Benjamin 'Barrelhouse Benny' Barnes
• Mary Bovard — Alice the Tattletale
• Phillip Terry — Atlantic City Emcee (uncredited)