A Gentleman at Heart

A Gentleman at Heart

Year: 1942

Runtime: 66 mins

Language: English

Director: Ray McCarey

Comedy

When bookie Milton Berle unexpectedly inherits a New York City art gallery, he teams up with Cesar Romero to embark on an art‑forgery venture. Ray McCarey’s 1942 comedy also features Carole Landis, J. Carrol Naish, Steven Geray, Richard Derr, Rose Hobart, Elisha Cook Jr., Chick Chandler, Francis Pierlot and Jerome Cowan.

A Gentleman at Heart (1942) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at A Gentleman at Heart (1942) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In bustling 1940s New York, a fast‑talking bookie finds his world flipped upside down when an unexpected inheritance delivers a Fifth Avenue art gallery into his reluctant hands. The surprise puts him at the crossroads of two very different streets—one lined with neon-lit betting shops and the other with polished frames and hushed connoisseurs—setting the stage for a comedy that balances swagger with a hint of bewilderment.

When the bookie, Lucky Cullen, teams up with his sharp‑tongued associate, Tony Miller, the pair instantly become an odd couple of street‑wise schemers and reluctant art aficionados. Their partnership is as much about learning the language of masterpieces as it is about navigating the pressures of a looming debt. Adding a sophisticated touch to the mix, the gallery’s elegant manager, Helen Mason, brings poise and insider knowledge, hinting at possibilities that could turn the struggling business into something far more lucrative—and far more mischievous.

The film thrives on the clash of worlds: the gritty humor of gambling culture rubbing shoulders with the pretentious, almost reverent atmosphere of the Manhattan art scene. Supporting characters—an earnest, if eccentric, painter and a cadre of colorful gallery staff—populate this terrain, each adding a layer of eccentricity that fuels the central duo’s audacious plan to dabble in art forgery. Their schemes are presented with a breezy, tongue‑in‑cheek style that never loses sight of the period’s glittering backdrop.

Amid the polished galleries and smoky back‑room deals, the story dances between witty repartee and the tantalizing promise of turning deception into profit. The tone stays light, the stakes feel both high and hilariously out of reach, and the audience is left curious about how two men from opposite ends of the city will navigate a world where every brushstroke might be their next big gamble.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 10:01

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Clever schemes and high-stakes hustles unfold at a breakneck pace.If you liked the witty hustle and rapid-fire plot of A Gentleman at Heart, you'll enjoy these other fast-paced comedy capers. Discover movies with clever schemers, elaborate deceptions, and a lighthearted tone that keeps the fun moving quickly.

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The narrative pattern revolves around a clever plan or deception that quickly spirals out of control. Characters must think on their feet, leading to a series of escalating complications, satirical social observations, and a satisfying, happy resolution that often rewards the underdog.

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These films are grouped together because they share a specific combination of a fast, farcical pace, a light and witty tone, and a plot driven by clever scheming. The focus is on the fun of the hustle rather than deep emotional drama.

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Smooth operators navigate the world of the elite with clever deceptions.Fans of A Gentleman at Heart will enjoy these other stories about clever characters navigating high society through deception. Explore movies where art forgery, auction hijinks, and sophisticated scams drive the plot in glamorous, satirical settings.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a charismatic outsider who manipulates the rules and pretensions of a sophisticated world for personal gain. The conflict arises from maintaining the deception under the scrutiny of experts and elites, leading to tense and humorous situations that expose the absurdities of class and value.

Why These Movies?

These movies are connected by their central theme of deception within an elite setting. They share a mood of clever satire, a focus on the mechanics of a con, and the juxtaposition of smooth operators against a backdrop of wealth and sophistication.

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A Gentleman at Heart Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in A Gentleman at Heart

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Characters, Settings & Themes in A Gentleman at Heart

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