Year: 1931
Runtime: 82 mins
Language: English
Director: Paul L. Stein
A pregnant American nurse stationed in London during World War I believes her soldier fiancé has been killed in France. Determined to secure a future for her unborn child, she enters a marriage of convenience with a wealthy aristocrat, confronting love, loss, and the pressures of society.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Born to Love yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Born to Love (1931), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
During World War I, American nurse Doris Kendall Constance Bennett works bravely in London, tending wounded soldiers while the city rattles with air raids. In the tense shelter of a blackout, she meets Captain Barry Craig Joel McCrea, a dashing American aviator on a brief leave. The two quickly connect, sharing warmth and laughter, and they fall in love even as the war rages on around them. They dream of a life together after the fighting ends, savoring the moments they steal from danger and distance.
Craig must return to the front, and soon Doris receives devastating news: he has been shot down behind enemy lines and is presumed dead. Grief drives her to seek comfort in a longtime admirer, Sir Wilfred Drake [Paul Cavanagh], and she discovers she is pregnant with Craig’s child. On Armistice Day, Drake proposes, and though she hesitates at first, she ultimately accepts, believing that marriage would be best for the baby and for herself.
The couple’s life seems to settle into a steady happiness—the child will be the official heir to the Drake estate, and for a while, everything appears harmonious. That peace is shattered when Craig reappears, forcing Doris to confront a heart torn between two men. She visits Craig, and Drake learns that she is still in love with him. He responds by divorcing her and winning custody of their son, while Doris remains haunted by the possibility of a future with the child she longs to raise.
Two years pass, and Doris is barred from seeing her son. When permission is finally granted, she arrives to learn that her boy has died, sending her into a spiral of despair as she wanders the streets. It is there that Craig finds her, still deeply in love, and in a moment of vulnerability and longing, she agrees to marry the man she never stopped loving. Their tale closes on the note of renewed commitment, hope, and the promise of a life rebuilt together.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:40
Don't stop at just watching — explore Born to Love 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 Born to Love is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Born to Love with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.