A Letter for Evie

A Letter for Evie

Year: 1946

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: Jules Dassin

ComedyRomanceDrama

Evie, a uniform shirt factory worker, slips a letter into a size‑16½ shirt for a soldier after a night of frustration with coworkers and a fiancé who won’t kiss. The note reaches “Wolf” Larson, who tosses it, but his shy friend John McPherson intercepts it and pretends to be Wolf. Evie hopes to meet him; Wolf is intrigued when he sees her.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – A Letter for Evie (1946)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Letter for Evie (1946). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

World War II, late 1944–1945

The events unfold during the final months of World War II, when troops are deployed and families endure separation. Wartime work, military service, and the home-front atmosphere shape daily life and romantic expectations. Letters become a lifeline between lovers, and the looming front adds urgency to every decision. The story culminates as truth and sacrifice redefine devotion.

Location

New York City, Brooklyn, Europe, France

Set primarily in Brooklyn, New York, Evie works at the Trojan Shirt Co., producing Army uniforms. John eventually visits Evie in New York, and the story moves through wartime city life as letters and meetings shape the romance. The narrative also shifts to wartime Europe, including a marriage in France, reflecting the broader theater of World War II.

🗽 New York City 🏙️ Urban setting 🛠️ War-era

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:25

Main Characters – A Letter for Evie (1946)

Meet the key characters of A Letter for Evie (1946), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

John Phineas McPherson (Hume Cronyn)

A clever, unassuming private who falls for Evie through letters. He disguises himself to imitate Wolf, driven by love but haunted by the risk of losing Evie if his deception is uncovered. His decision to reveal the truth requires courage and self-sacrifice.

🧭 Clever 🗺️ Reserved 🤫 Secretive

Edgar 'Wolf' Larson (John Carroll)

A tall, confident ladies' man with a reputation for charm. He becomes the sudden rival to John for Evie's affection, unaware of the depth of his own connection with her. His presence exposes the gap between written words and spoken truth.

🕺 Charismatic 💪 Strong 🎭 Deceptive

Evie O'Connor (Marsha Hunt)

A New York City secretary who longs for romance and security. She bonds with Wolf through letters and learns to value genuine affection over performance. Her trust is tested by the men who claim to have written to her.

💖 Romantic 📝 Hopeful 🎀 Trusting

Barney Lee (Pamela Britton)

Evie's roommate who is drawn to John and adds a layer of humorous tension to the love triangle. She embodies the social pressures and rivalries that complicate wartime romance.

🎭 Flirtatious 🧠 Witty 🤝 Loyal

Mrs. McPherson (Spring Byington)

John's mother, a protective and nurturing figure who supports her family through wartime upheaval. She provides guidance and concern for her son's choices.

👩‍👧 Motherly 🕊️ Compassionate 🗣️ Protective

Mr. McPherson (Percival Vivian)

John's father, a practical and traditional presence who anchors the family during wartime. His outlook influences John’s sense of duty and decisions.

👨‍👣 Fatherly 🧭 Practical 🎖️ Traditional

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:25

Major Themes – A Letter for Evie (1946)

Explore the central themes of A Letter for Evie (1946), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💌 Romance & Deception

A central tension arises from letters creating an idealized image of a partner. John writes to Evie under a false identity, and the deception fuels both desire and conflict. The plot explores how love can be built on spoken or written words and what happens when the truth finally intrudes.

🪞 Identity

Dual identities drive much of the drama: John pretends to be Wolf, and Evie forms feelings for the writer rather than the man who stands before her. The film examines authenticity versus performance in romance. Ultimately, the truth about who loves whom redefines trust.

🔥 Jealousy

Jealousy erupts as John and Wolf compete for Evie's affection. The rivalry prompts bold actions, deception, and protective schemes. The tension illustrates how intense emotions can disrupt relationships during wartime separation.

💔 Sacrifice

John chooses to protect both men's honor and Evie's happiness by pretending to be dead, a selfless act meant to spare pain. He sacrifices his own truth to preserve love. Evie ultimately recognizes the true lover through this ultimate gesture.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:25

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Wartime Romance Movies with Secret Identities like A Letter for Evie

Love letters and mistaken identities blossom on the homefront during wartime.If you enjoyed the charming deception and heartfelt emotions of A Letter for Evie, you'll love these movies. This collection features similar stories of mistaken identity and wartime correspondence, where love stories built on letters must confront the truth. Discover other romantic comedies and dramas that explore identity and connection during times of conflict.

wistfulromanticdeceptivehopefulmelancholicheartfeltyearning

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically begin with a connection forged at a distance, often through letters, where one character adopts a false identity out of shyness, insecurity, or opportunity. The plot unfolds as the relationship deepens emotionally while the lie becomes increasingly difficult to maintain, culminating in a crisis where true identities and feelings must be revealed.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared premise of a romance built on a deception, set against the backdrop of war. They blend the yearning and hope of a burgeoning relationship with the anxiety and moral weight of a lie, creating a unique mix of lighthearted charm and genuine emotional stakes.

Bittersweet Romantic Deceptions like in A Letter for Evie

Where a charming lie leads to a heartfelt, complicated truth.Fans of A Letter for Evie who appreciated its blend of romance and emotional consequence will find more to love here. This list gathers movies with similar themes of mistaken identity and self-sacrifice, where a lie complicates a love story. Explore other comedies and dramas that deliver a heartfelt, bittersweet punch.

bittersweetdeceptiveheartfeltmelancholichopefulromanticemotional

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a well-intentioned deception that allows a genuine emotional connection to flourish. The heart of the story is the gradual realization by both characters that the fantasy is unsustainable. The climax involves a confession and a test of whether the real connection can survive the revealed truth, often resolved with a mix of regret and hope.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects movies based on their shared exploration of authenticity in relationships, using a deceptive premise to examine themes of idealization versus reality. They share a bittersweet tone, balancing romantic yearning with the emotional weight of lies and the payoff of hard-won honesty.

Unlock the Full Story of A Letter for Evie

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Letter for Evie in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Letter for Evie is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Letter for Evie Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Letter for Evie, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Letter for Evie Summary

A Letter for Evie Timeline

Track the full timeline of A Letter for Evie with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

A Letter for Evie Timeline

A Letter for Evie Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of A Letter for Evie that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

A Letter for Evie Spoiler-Free Summary

More About A Letter for Evie

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about A Letter for Evie: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About A Letter for Evie

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