Bride by Mistake

After returning from the war, Captain Tony Travis eyes Nora Hunter's Santa Barbara estate and wonders what it would feel like to be that rich. He imagines a life of luxury that seems far removed from his own experiences. The daydream foreshadows a clash between money and genuine affection that will drive the plot.

During a ship launch, a press photographer captures Nora's image, but guardian Connors immediately suspects something is wrong when he sees the film is ruined. The incident hints at the hidden manipulation that will shape Nora's public persona. The ruined photograph becomes a symbol of the deception surrounding Nora.

Sylvia tells Nora she is quitting to accompany Phil Vernon to Washington, revealing the reason behind her move. To preserve Nora's social life and give Sylvia a rightful maid of honor, Nora resolves to marry her fiancé Donald. The plan sets up a clever exchange that will test Tony's loyalties.

Donald returns from military duty and drops a bombshell: he has fallen in love with someone else. The revelation devastates Nora's plan and forces her to rethink her approach to marriage and social appearances. The conflict introduces the central obstacle to Tony's pursuit of Nora.

Nora hosts tea for her friends, while Sylvia pretends to be Nora in public. Tony meets the woman who captures Nora's charm, and though he is drawn to Nora, he remains more interested in Sylvia. The social masquerade deepens the comic tension and muddles who is who.

Nora and Sylvia invite Tony for a weekend at Nora's beach house to see if love will endure beyond money. Nora stages the arrangement so Tony can court Sylvia, hoping the real Nora will be revealed through sincere affection. The plan is to uncover whether desire can trump wealth.

Mix-ups escalate as, while tipsy, Sylvia accepts a marriage proposal from Tony. The moment confirms that Tony is falling for Sylvia instead of Nora, complicating everyone’s schemes. The wedding plans become inadvertently tangled in this social masquerade.

The next morning, Tony discovers Phil sneaking to Sylvia's bedroom for a late-night hug and feels betrayal boil over. He punches Phil in a fit of anger, tearing open the web of deceptions. The incident forces Nora’s ruse into the open and raises the stakes of the weekend.

Nora confesses that she and Sylvia had swapped rooms that night, explaining the tangled ruse. The truth shifts Tony’s understanding of who he has fallen for and what love really requires. The revelation begins to realign the relationships.

Tony realizes that his true love is the real Nora, not the illusion created by wealth or masquerades. He scoops the protesting Nora into his arms and carries her away to be married. The moment marks a decisive break from the original schemes and a leap toward commitment.

On their honeymoon night in a cheap motel, Nora finally reveals her true identity to Tony. He is initially disgusted, but the sight of her in a nightgown convinces him to stay and choose love over appearances. The reveal tests his resolve but ultimately seals their bond.

Tony and Nora marry and begin their life together, having faced deception and wealth's temptations. The truth is embraced, and genuine affection triumphs over social performance. Their partnership closes the loop on the film's central tension.