A Millionaire for Christy

A Millionaire for Christy

Year: 1951

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: George Marshall

RomanceComedy

Christy Sloane is dispatched on a business trip to break the news to popular radio host Peter Lockwood that his recently deceased uncle has bequeathed him a two‑million‑dollar inheritance. Strapped for cash, Christy sees an opportunity to win Peter’s affection, leading to a series of zany mishaps and the inevitable emergence of romantic chemistry between the two.

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Timeline & Setting – A Millionaire for Christy (1951)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Millionaire for Christy (1951). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1940s

Set in the post-war era when radio personalities and social status shaped public perception, the film blends glamour with comedic farce. Wealth, reputation, and quick romances are central to the plot, reflecting the era’s fascination with celebrity culture. The narrative uses era-specific media dynamics to fuel misunderstandings and social maneuvering.

Location

San Francisco, Los Angeles, La Jolla

The story traverses California's coastal urban centers, starting in San Francisco, moving to Los Angeles, and finishing near La Jolla. The locations evoke sun-soaked glamour and the entertainment culture of mid-century America, underscoring themes of social climbing and prestige. Each place frames the contrast between appearances and financial aspiration that drives the characters.

🎬 Hollywood-adjacent 🏙️ Urban California 🌊 Coastal towns

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:25

Main Characters – A Millionaire for Christy (1951)

Meet the key characters of A Millionaire for Christy (1951), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Christabel 'Christy' Sloane (Eleanor Parker)

A sharp-witted legal secretary from San Francisco who longs for a more lavish life. She navigates moral lines to secure a fortune, yet her feelings evolve as the ruse entangles real romance.

💃 Romance 🧭 Social climbing 💼 Secretary

Peter Ulysses Lockwood (Fred MacMurray)

A debonair radio host known as the Sunshine Man, adept at charming audiences while managing personal relationships with a self-promoting flair. His public image masks a wily, self-serving core.

🎤 Radio celebrity 💰 Wealth seeker 🕺 Charmer

Dr. Roland 'Doc' Cook (Richard Carlson)

A pragmatic psychiatrist who crafts a calculated scheme to reveal and exploit Christy's supposed illness. He combines clinical language with opportunism, steering events to serve his own interests.

🧠 Psychiatrist 🕵️ Schemer 🧭 Manipulator

Patsy Clifford (Una Merkel)

Christy's practical coworker who nudges her toward the plan to win the inheritance. Witty and loyal, she helps orchestrate the ruse while keeping one step ahead of chaos.

🎭 Friend 🗺️ Planner 🫂 Supporter

June Chandler (Kay Buckley)

Heiress fiancée of Peter, whose own ambitions and suspicions complicate the love triangle. Her loyalty to her fiancé is tested as wealth and reputations collide.

💍 Heiress 🧐 Suspicious 🥂 Socialite

Benjamin Chandler (Raymond Greenleaf)

June's father and a pillar of the Chandler family’s social status. His presence underscores how wealth and lineage influence romantic outcomes and social expectations.

🕴️ Patriarch 💸 Wealth 🧭 Social influence

Manolo (Chris-Pin Martin)

A colorful supporting character who adds flavor to the Mexico-bound sequence, highlighting cross-cultural camaraderie during the journey.

🎉 Sidekick 🐾 Colorful 🛳️ Journey

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:25

Major Themes – A Millionaire for Christy (1951)

Explore the central themes of A Millionaire for Christy (1951), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💘 Romance vs Money

Christy's pursuit of a wealthy husband contrasts with genuine affection, revealing how money can both lure and complicate love. The plot uses romantic manipulation as a vehicle for social mobility, then tests real feelings against calculated schemes. Ultimately, true romance emerges from sincere emotion rather than financial gain.

🎭 Appearance vs Reality

Characters misread one another due to façades and misrepresented motives. Christy pretends to be someone she's not, while Peter hides his bachelor persona behind the Sunshine Man image. The contrast between surface charm and underlying intent drives the comedic and dramatic turns of the story.

📻 Media and Celebrity Culture

The Sunshine Man radio persona demonstrates how media can manufacture identity and influence relationships. Public image, sponsorships, and broadcast persona guide character decisions as much as private truth. The plot satirizes fame's power to shape fate and moral choices.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:25

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A Millionaire for Christy Summary

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A Millionaire for Christy Summary

A Millionaire for Christy Timeline

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A Millionaire for Christy Timeline

More About A Millionaire for Christy

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