Cynthia

Cynthia

Year: 1947

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Z. Leonard

ComedyDrama

You’ll fall in love with Cynthia Sheltered by her conservative parents, a small-town teenager finally goes out on a date.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Cynthia 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!

Timeline – Cynthia (1947)

Trace every key event in Cynthia (1947) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Courting and dreams of Vienna

In school, Larry Bishop impresses Louise and they fall in love. They share a hopeful dream of traveling to Vienna to pursue education, with Larry aiming for medicine and Louise for music.

In school School
2

Marriage during college and move to Napoleon

Louise and Larry marry during college, Louise becomes pregnant, and they move to Larry's hometown in Illinois, Napoleon. They begin building a life in a small town while trying to keep their adventurous dreams alive.

During college Napoleon, Illinois
3

Larry starts work and Cynthia is born

Larry takes a job at Dingle's hardware store in Napoleon. They welcome their daughter Cynthia, whose health problems mark her frail early years.

Early years after move Napoleon, Illinois
4

Fifteen years later, finances strain

Fifteen years pass and the family struggles to make ends meet. Larry can't afford to buy the home they rent, and the family loses some of their earlier optimism about their plans.

Fifteen years later Napoleon, Illinois
5

Medical warnings clash with ambition

Dr. Fred Jannings warns against strenuous activities for Cynthia, but Louise ignores the caution and allows Cynthia to audition for a school musical. The tension between care and ambition strains the family.

Before school musical rehearsal Napoleon
6

Cynthia's school musical audition

During a rehearsal, Cynthia performs Melody of Spring, a song adapted from Josef Strauss's music. The audience sees her talent, yet her fragile health worries the family.

School rehearsal School
7

Cynthia's health wanes; household tension rises

After the rehearsal, Cynthia's health deteriorates and Larry becomes upset with Louise for pushing her. The family tensions rise as illness and responsibility collide with their dreams.

Shortly after rehearsal Napoleon
8

Cynthia's romance and prom night

Cynthia falls for Ricky Latham, and Louise encourages them to go to the school prom. Larry opposes, but the prom becomes a turning point in the family’s dynamics.

Teenage years Napoleon
9

Job loss sparks plan to leave Napoleon

Larry loses his job after coming in late, an issue his boss objects to. The financial pressure intensifies, forcing the family to confront a possible move.

One day Napoleon
10

Conflict over the future: Chicago or a house

Larry suggests leaving Napoleon for Chicago, but Louise decides to invest money in buying a house instead. Cynthia's choice to stay with Ricky complicates the plans further.

After job loss Napoleon
11

Boss returns with an offer

Later, Larry's boss comes back, hat in hand, asking him to return to his old job. The gesture marks a potential new start for the family.

End Napoleon
12

Family resolves to move forward together

With the job situation resolved, the Bishops unite to embrace whatever the future holds. They draw closer as they face their responsibilities and renewed hope.

End Napoleon

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:33

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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.

Movies like Cynthia: Bittersweet small-town coming-of-age stories

Tender stories of sheltered teenagers finding their first taste of love and independence.If you liked Cynthia, you may enjoy these other tender dramas about teenagers experiencing first love and stepping out from under their parents' wings. These movies share a similar steady pace, nostalgic mood, and focus on the bittersweet blend of hope and melancholy that defines growing up in a small town.

nostalgichopefulwistfultenderreflectivedomesticmelancholic

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a sheltered protagonist, often constrained by loving but cautious parents, as they take their first tentative steps into independence. The central conflict is gentle, arising from the clash between familial security and the desire for personal discovery, usually resolving in a hopeful but earned realization about life and love.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the specific emotional texture of adolescent awakening—the combination of excitement and trepidation, the tender portrayal of first romance, and the reflective, sometimes wistful, look back at a simpler time. The tone consistently balances heartfelt drama with moments of levity.

Family dramas about quiet sacrifice like Cynthia

Stories where parents' unfulfilled dreams pave the way for their children's happiness.Discover movies similar to Cynthia that explore the dynamics of parental love and sacrifice. These stories often involve financial strain or health concerns, focusing on how parents channel their own unfulfilled dreams into hope for their children, creating a poignant and tender viewing experience.

tenderdomesticmelancholicreflectivehopefulwistfulheartfelt

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern often involves a dual perspective, shifting between the parents' history of compromise and the child's innocent journey into the world. The drama is internal and relational, built on themes of financial strain, chronic illness, or lost opportunities, but is ultimately resolved through the strengthening of familial bonds and the choice of shared contentment over individual ambition.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their focus on the emotional core of family dynamics—specifically, the theme of sacrifice. They share a medium emotional weight derived from real-world struggles, a bittersweet tone that acknowledges hardship while affirming love, and a straightforward narrative structure that keeps the focus firmly on the characters' emotional lives.

Unlock the Full Story of Cynthia

Don't stop at just watching — explore Cynthia 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 Cynthia is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Cynthia Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Cynthia, 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.

Cynthia Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Cynthia

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Cynthia. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Cynthia

Cynthia Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Cynthia 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.

Cynthia Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Cynthia

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Cynthia: 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 Cynthia

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Discover movies like Cynthia that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.