Expensive Husbands (1937) Plot Summary Explained

Rupert left because he was disgusted by Laurine's determination to return to Hollywood and pursue her career. Despite being married, he couldn't accept that she wasn't willing to give up her acting career for their relationship, so he walked out in the middle of the night.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Rupert had criticized Laurine's movie love scenes, showing he values genuine emotion over performed romance.

• rupert leaves honeymoon
• marriage problems
• career vs love

Rupert appeared at the press conference to see Laurine and make amends. When he whispered that her love scenes had improved, he was genuinely complimenting her growth as an actress, but Laurine misinterpreted it as him returning for her money.

Foreshadowing: This moment directly follows Rupert's discovery that he now has money of his own, giving him the confidence to return.

• rupert press conference
• love scenes
• misunderstanding

Rupert discovered he had fulfilled the conditions of a will. The will stipulated that he had to earn a certain amount of money before he could inherit a fortune, and he had finally met that requirement.

Foreshadowing: This explains why Rupert was working as a waiter - he was trying to earn enough to claim his inheritance.

• rupert inheritance
• will condition
• prince wealth

Rupert was 'punishing' Laurine by spending as much money as possible, but he was actually depositing an equal sum into her bank account the whole time. He wanted to teach her a lesson about genuine versus transactional love while still ensuring she was financially secure.

Foreshadowing: This plan reflects Rupert's earlier criticism of Laurine's motivation for marrying him - he wanted to prove money wasn't the basis of real love.

• rupert spending
• money punishment
• deposit account

After initially refusing Rupert's plea to give up her career, Laurine eventually realized she wanted a genuine marriage more than Hollywood stardom. The time apart helped her understand that her relationship with Rupert was more important than her acting career.

Foreshadowing: Laurine's hope on their honeymoon night that Rupert would 'come to bed' showed her true desire for a real partnership.

• laurine chooses love
• give up career
• hollywood vs love

Both were convinced the other went through with the marriage for selfish motives: Laurine thought Rupert wanted her money, while Rupert thought Laurine married him for the title. Their pride and lack of communication prevented them from acknowledging their genuine mutual attraction.

Foreshadowing: Rupert's initial comment about Laurine's fake movie love scenes established his suspicion about her sincerity.

• marriage of convenience
• false motives
• mutual attraction

The hotel where they spent their honeymoon was Rupert's ancestral home, but he had lost it due to poverty. By the end of the film, Rupert had bought it back, and that is where Laurine joins him at the film's conclusion.

Foreshadowing: The honeymoon setting being Rupert's family property explains why the experience was emotionally charged for him.

• ancestral hotel
• vienna home
• rupert buys back

Joe noticed that a rival actress had landed a role Laurine wanted simply because she was married to a count. He advised Laurine that acquiring a title through marriage would boost her career in Hollywood, hence the marriage of convenience proposal.

Foreshadowing: This explains why Laurine was willing to advertises for a husband - she saw titles as leverage in Hollywood.

• joe craig
• press agent
• title marriage career