Easy Living

Easy Living

Year: 1937

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Mitchell Leisen

ComedyRomance

J.B. Ball, a wealthy financier, becomes exasperated by his waste‑spending family. In a fit of frustration he hurls his wife’s newly‑purchased, costly sable coat out the window. The coat lands on Mary Smith, a diligent but impoverished girl. As the unlikely exchange unfolds, Ball discovers that parting with such a prized possession is far more complicated—and far more comical—than he anticipated.

Easy Living (1937) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Easy Living (1937) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the glittering world of 1930s New York, wealth and pressure collide with everyday grit in a story that sparkles with wit and absurdity. J.B. Ball is a titan of finance whose empire is built on cold calculations, yet his home life is anything but orderly. Frustrated by his wife’s extravagant tastes and his son’s restless ambitions, he finds himself at a breaking point when a newly‑purchased sable coat—an emblem of ostentatious luxury—becomes the catalyst for a most unlikely encounter.

The coat’s dramatic descent lands on Mary Smith, a diligent but penniless young woman whose life is a stark contrast to the opulent circles that surround the Ball family. From the moment the fur brushes her shoulders, a comedic tug‑of‑war begins, hinting at how a single, seemingly frivolous object can upend the carefully measured routines of both the affluent and the modest. The film’s tone balances sharp satire with heartfelt charm, painting a vivid portrait of a city where gossip, fashion, and ambition intersect on every street corner.

Around them, a cast of colorful personalities adds further texture: Jenny Ball, whose penchant for high‑end fashion fuels the initial conflict; John Jr., the restless heir searching for his own footing; and Van Buren, a shopkeeper whose misinterpretations magnify the chaos. As the sable coat changes hands, it becomes a symbol of everything the characters wish to possess—or escape—from. The narrative teases the audience with the promise that what starts as a careless fling of fur will ripple through the lives of those involved, setting the stage for a series of comic misunderstandings and social far‑c‑situations that keep the story buoyant and endlessly entertaining.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 10:10

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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.

Screwball comedies with escalating chaos like Easy Living

Fast-paced romantic comedies propelled by escalating misunderstandings and witty chaos.If you liked the fast-paced farce and romantic entanglements of Easy Living, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features classic and modern screwball comedies where witty banter, mistaken identities, and social chaos create a delightfully frenetic viewing experience.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically begin with a small catalyst—a lie, a mistaken identity, or a rash decision—that spirals out of control. The plot is driven by a series of comedic domino effects, forcing characters to navigate increasingly ridiculous scenarios, often involving class differences or social conventions, before culminating in a happy resolution that sorts out the romantic and situational confusion.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a specific comedic rhythm: a fast pace, a light emotional touch, and a focus on the hilarious consequences of social misunderstandings. They deliver an experience centered on clever wordplay, charming characters in absurd situations, and the ultimate triumph of love and wit over chaos.

Romantic farces with mistaken identity like Easy Living

Charming stories where a case of mistaken identity fuels a whirlwind romantic adventure.Find more movies like Easy Living that explore the comedic potential of mistaken identity. These stories often involve characters accidentally ascending or descending the social ladder, leading to romantic chaos, witty encounters, and a lighthearted critique of class conventions.

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Narrative Summary

The defining pattern is an accidental swap of social roles. A character of modest means is mistaken for someone wealthy or important (or vice-versa), and they decide to play along. This deception forms the engine of the plot, creating romantic opportunities and comedic friction with the upper class, until the inevitable reveal leads to a climax that reconciles true love with true identity.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core narrative device—mistaken identity—that directly drives the romance and the comedy. They create a specific vibe of playful social commentary and romantic wish-fulfillment, where love triumphs over artificial class barriers, all delivered with a brisk pace and a focus on situational humor rather than deep emotion.

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

Easy Living Summary

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Easy Living Summary

Easy Living Timeline

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Easy Living Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Easy Living

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Easy Living

More About Easy Living

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