Arthur (1981) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Arthur is pressured to marry Susan because his late father's will stipulates that he must do so to inherit his $750 million fortune. The marriage is a strategic business move designed to solidify a partnership between the Bach and Johnson families. Arthur's father and grandmother insist on the union, making it not just an expectation but a legal condition for Arthur to receive his inheritance.

• arthur bach
• susan johnson
• inheritance
• marriage
• father will
• business deal

Arthur meets Linda at Bergdorf-Goodman's department store in Manhattan. He spots her attempting to steal a tie meant as a birthday gift for her unemployed father. When a security guard confronts her, Arthur intervene by claiming she was purchasing the tie for him. He even kisses her publicly to sell the story, then offers his limousine to take her home, sparking their romance.

• linda marolla
• bergdorf-goodman
• meeting
• department store
• first meeting

Arthur breaks off the wedding because he realizes he cannot marry someone he doesn't love. After Hobson's death, Arthur gains clarity about what's truly important to him. He arrives at the church intoxicated but determined, declaring the wedding null and void in front of everyone. His decision comes from choosing genuine happiness with Linda over the financial security of a loveless marriage.

• wedding
• cancelled wedding
• church
• love choice
• susan johnson

Arthur's loyal servant and friend Hobson becomes seriously ill and is hospitalized. Arthur prioritizes caring for Hobson over his wedding preparations, sitting by his bedside and promising to postpone the ceremony. Hobson eventually dies, leaving Arthur devastated. This loss prompts Arthur to reevaluate his life choices and ultimately gives him the courage to choose love over wealth.

• hobson
• illness
• hospital
• death
• servant
• friend

Arthur does not lose his inheritance. When he breaks off the wedding, his grandmother Martha intervenes and offers him a deal: he can keep his inheritance as long as he is with Linda. Martha reveals she is willing to let Arthur pursue true love while maintaining the family wealth. This allows Arthur to have both love and financial security in the end.

• inheritance
• money
• grandma martha
• 750 million
• wealth

Linda refuses the $100,000 because she wants genuine love, not payment. After Arthur proposes to Susan, he visits Linda while drunk and offers her the money as some kind of compensation or perhaps to buy her affection. Linda is insulted by this gesture and firmly tells him to leave. Her rejection demonstrates that she loves Arthur for who he is, not for his wealth.

• linda marolla
• money
• rejection
• 100000
• genuine love

Arthur's grandmother Martha is a powerful figure who initially pressures him to marry Susan for the family's business interests. She is the one who gives Arthur the engagement ring to propose with. However, when Arthur finally chooses love over money at the wedding, Martha surprises everyone by allowing him to keep his inheritance if he stays with Linda. Her intervention prevents Burt Johnson from attacking Arthur and ultimately supports his decision.

• grandma martha
• grandmother
• family pressure
• support
• intervention

Arthur's father threatens to cut off his inheritance because Arthur refuses to marry Susan, which would jeopardize the planned business partnership between the Bach and Johnson families. The threat represents $750 million at stake. This pressure is what initially forces Arthur to reluctantly go through with the engagement despite his love for Linda.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Arthur's father and grandmother make it clear that the marriage is non-negotiable for financial reasons.

• father
• threat
• inheritance
• 750 million
• financial pressure
• business partnership

Arthur's change of heart is prompted by Hobson's death. After spending his final days caring for his dying friend, Arthur experiences a moment of clarity about mortality and what truly matters. He realizes he would rather live an authentic life with someone he loves than continue pretending in a loveless marriage. This grief-stricken but clear-minded Arthur goes to the church to end the engagement.

• grief
• clarity
• decision
• love vs money
• hobson death

The ending scene where Arthur and Linda ride together through Central Park symbolizes their new beginning and true happiness. After all the turmoil, the forced engagement, Hobson's death, and the dramatic wedding confrontation, Arthur has chosen authentic love over inherited wealth. His grandmother's blessing to keep the inheritance means he doesn't have to sacrifice financial security either, making this a truly happy ending where Arthur gets both love and freedom.

• central park
• ending
• happy ending
• new beginning
• ride together

Arthur kisses Linda at Bergdorf-Goodman's to sell the story that she was buying the tie for him, not stealing it. This bold move saves Linda from trouble with security and demonstrates Arthur's charming, impulsive nature. The kiss works perfectly, he gets away with the lie and also sparks a genuine romantic connection with Linda, setting their entire love story in motion.

• kiss
• store
• save
• charm
• lie
• first kiss