Lady Behave! (1937) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A comedic legal and romantic entanglement resolved through deception and familial guidance.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

New Orleans Prelude

Burton Williams and the sisters enjoy a holiday in New Orleans before their planned move to Haiti. Clarice's impulsive Mardi Gras night leads to a shocking morning revelation.

Key Events

• Holiday in New Orleans — Sisters and Burton Williams enjoy a holiday before departing for Haiti. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New Orleans
• Mardi Gras Night Out — Clarice goes out for Mardi Gras while Burton Williams stays home. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New Orleans Streets
• Morning Revelation — Clarice returns drunk and reveals she married Stephen Cormack overnight. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Home
• Bigamy Crisis — Clarice forgets she is already married to Michael Andrews, creating a bigamy risk. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Home
• Travel Preparation — Burton Williams prepares for the journey to Haiti alongside Paula. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Home
• Departure from New Orleans — The group prepares to leave New Orleans for Haiti. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New Orleans

Crisis and Deception

A bigamy scandal emerges when Clarice reveals her secret marriage. Burton Williams and Paula devise an impersonation scheme to avoid prison and manage the legal fallout.

Key Events

• Bigamy Crisis — Clarice forgets she is already married to Michael Andrews, creating a bigamy risk. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Home
• Solicitor Visit — Cormack's solicitor mistakes Paula for Clarice and offers a divorce settlement. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Home
• Impersonation Plan — Burton Williams and Paula decide Paula will impersonate Clarice temporarily. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Home
• Travel to New York — Burton Williams and Paula travel to New York to manage the situation. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City
• Meeting Michael — Burton Williams meets Michael Andrews, who agrees to play a role in the scheme. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City
• Deception Scheme — Burton Williams hatches a plan for Michael to pose as Paula's lover. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City
• Annulment Process — Burton Williams works to secure the annulment of Clarice and Michael's marriage. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Legal Office
• Solicitor's Offer — The solicitor offers $5000 to divorce Cormack, mistaken for Clarice. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Home
• Legal Consultation — Burton Williams and Paula discuss the legal implications of bigamy. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Home
• Michael's Demand — Michael demands payment for his role in the deception scheme. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City

New York Intrigue

The plan unfolds in New York as Michael plays a fabricated lover to provoke Cormack. Paula navigates the deception while securing funds and winning the children's affection.

Key Events

• Deception Scheme — Burton Williams hatches a plan for Michael to pose as Paula's lover. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City
• Children's Demand — Michael demands payment from Cormack's children to break up the marriage. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Cormack Residence
• Financial Acquisition — Paula acquires the required funds without questioning their purpose. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City
• Deception Continues — Paula maintains her virtue and secret identity while bonding with the children. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Cormack Residence
• Brawl Over Paula — Cormack gets into a physical altercation with Michael over Paula. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Cormack Residence
• Children's Affection — Cormack's children begin to like Paula and want her as their mother. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Cormack Residence
• Scheme Execution — Burton Williams oversees the implementation of the deception plan. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City
• Michael's Demand — Michael demands payment for his role in the deception scheme. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City
• Fund Transfer — Paula secures the $15,000 required by the children without inquiry. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City
• Cormack's Jealousy — Cormack's jealousy over Paula leads to a physical confrontation. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Cormack Residence
• Scheme Oversight — Burton Williams monitors the deception plan's progress in real time. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City

Resolution and Union

Clarice returns with an annulment, files for divorce, and clears the path for Paula and Cormack. Burton Williams successfully guides the family through the legal storm.

Key Events

• Clarice Returns — Clarice arrives back with news that her marriage to Michael is annulled. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City
• Divorce Lawsuit — Clarice sues Cormack for divorce, clearing the path for Paula and Cormack. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City
• Final Union — Cormack and Paula are left to be together after the legal complications resolve. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City
• Annulment Confirmation — Clarice confirms the annulment of her marriage to Michael. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Legal Office
• Divorce Filing — Clarice files for divorce against Cormack, resolving the legal entanglement. Characters: Burton Williams Location: Court
• Final Resolution — The legal and romantic complications are fully resolved. Characters: Burton Williams Location: New York City

Story Breakdown

• Setup and Inciting Incident — Introduction to the family dynamic and the shocking bigamy revelation.
  • Holiday Prelude — Burton Williams and sisters prepare for Haiti relocation.
  • Mardi Gras Revelation — Clarice returns drunk and reveals her secret marriage.
  • Bigamy Threat — Clarice forgets her prior marriage, risking prison.
• Deception Strategy — Burton Williams and Paula devise a plan to navigate the legal crisis.
  • Solicitor Offer — Cormack's lawyer mistakes Paula for Clarice and offers divorce money.
  • Impersonation Plan — Paula agrees to pose as Clarice temporarily.
  • Legal Consultation — Burton Williams works to annul Clarice's marriage to Michael.
• New York Execution — The scheme unfolds in New York with external collaborators.
  • Michael's Role — Michael agrees to pose as Paula's lover to provoke Cormack.
  • Children's Demand — Cormack's children pay Michael to break up the marriage.
  • Fund Acquisition — Paula secures the required money without questioning its use.
• Complications and Tension — The deception creates jealousy and physical conflict.
  • Cormack's Jealousy — Cormack becomes enraged over Paula's perceived infidelity.
  • Physical Brawl — Cormack and Michael engage in a fight over Paula.
  • Children's Bond — Cormack's children grow fond of Paula and want her as mother.
• Resolution and Aftermath — Legal complications are resolved, allowing true pairings to form.
  • Clarice Returns — Clarice arrives with news of the annulment.
  • Divorce Filing — Clarice sues Cormack for divorce, clearing legal obstacles.
  • Final Union — Cormack and Paula are left to be together after the storm.
• Burton Williams Arc — Burton Williams serves as the strategic and moral backbone throughout.
  • Godfather Role — Provides familial guidance and stability to the sisters.
  • Legal Advisor — Manages annulment processes and legal risks.
  • Strategic Planner — Orchestrates the deception scheme to protect the family.

Directed by

Lloyd Corrigan

Key Cast

• Sally Eilers — Paula Kendall
• Neil Hamilton — Stephen Dorchester Cormack
• Joseph Schildkraut — Michael Dimitri Andrews
• Grant Mitchell — Burton Williams
• Patricia Farr — Clarice Kendall Andrews Cormack