For the Love of Mary

For the Love of Mary

Year: 1948

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Frederick de Cordova

ComedyRomance

Young girl gets a job at the White House as a switchboard operator and gets mixed up in politics.

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Timeline & Setting – For the Love of Mary (1948)

Explore the full timeline and setting of For the Love of Mary (1948). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1940s

Set in the mid-1940s, the postwar era frames a world of politicians, judges, and military aides. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of White House protocol, Supreme Court intrigue, and naval oversight. The era's manners and media dynamics color the humor and romantic entanglements.

Location

The White House, Washington, D.C., Gustav Heindel's Restaurant

The White House is the central setting, symbolizing executive power and the daily grind of national politics. The action also spills into social spaces like Gustav Heindel's restaurant, where informal conversations influence formal decisions. The film briefly visits party scenes that illustrate how governance and personal life intersect in Washington.

🏛️ White House setting 🗽 Washington D.C. 🍽️ Social venues

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:43

Main Characters – For the Love of Mary (1948)

Meet the key characters of For the Love of Mary (1948), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mary Peppertree (Deanna Durbin)

A sharp-witted White House switchboard operator who juggles demanding calls from justices and a persistent suitor. She navigates romance with pragmatism, showing resilience under pressure while keeping her own desires in mind. Her quick thinking and calm humor keep the plot moving through political and personal mazes.

💬 Quick-witted 🧩 Resourceful 💖 Romantic

Lt. Tom Farrington (Edmond O'Brien)

A naval aide who escorts Mary and becomes entangled in her romantic and political whirlwind. He is dutiful, courteous, and steady in a crisis, often acting as Mary's partner in navigating both social rituals and dangerous misunderstandings. His presence adds a grounded, respectful counterpoint to the other players.

🛡️ Protective 🎖️ Dutiful ✈️ Reliable

David Paxton (Don Taylor)

An intense ichthyologist whose fixation on Mary triggers a cascade of political maneuvers when his birth island holds strategic value. He is ardent and persistent, blurring lines between obsession and affection as he pushes the story toward a national interest resolution.

💼 Obsessive 🐟 Fish enthusiast 🎭 Impulsive

Phillip Manning (Jeffrey Lynn)

A Justice Department attorney and Mary's former fiancé who tries to reintegrate into her life while maintaining professional distance. He is practical and ambitious, with a stubborn streak that fuels rivalry and humor as the romantic triangle develops. He represents a bridge between personal desire and political duty.

⚖️ Pragmatic 🗣️ Persuasive 🕵️ Career-minded

Justice Peabody (Harry Davenport)

A senior judge who operates within Washington's power network and intermittently presses for resolutions in Mary’s love life. He embodies authority and charm, often acting as a facilitator or foil to the romantic entanglements. His role highlights the era's blend of pomp and personal interest.

🧓 Authority 💘 Romantic leanings ⚖️ Respected

Harvey Elwood (Ray Collins)

The President's executive secretary who orchestrates responses to crises and manages the social calendar. He is a crafty middleman who deftly handles political sensitivities, using discretion to keep both Mary safe and public appearances smooth. He moves the pieces behind the scenes.

🎩 Bureaucratic 🗂️ Gatekeeper 🧭 Calculated

Gustav Heindel (Hugo Haas)

Restaurant owner whose establishment becomes a forum for plotting, conversation, and a solution to the island controversy. He is shrewd and opportunistic, able to leverage social ties to influence outcomes. His role demonstrates how private businesses and civic issues intersect.

🍽️ Restaurant-savvy 🕵️ Plotter 🗺️ Connector

Samuel Litchfield (Frank Conroy)

A newspaper publisher who comments on and challenges the political players' antics. He is quick with a quip and acts as a witness to the evolving entanglements, offering a public voice that shapes perception. His presence underscores the media's role in politics and romance.

📰 Publisher 🗯️ Blunt 🕰️ Timely observer

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:43

Major Themes – For the Love of Mary (1948)

Explore the central themes of For the Love of Mary (1948), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💘 Romance

Mary navigates a three-way romantic tension with Tom, Phillip, and David, blending affection with politics. Her relationships propel the plot as confidences collide with official power, and misread signals fuel the comedy. The running gag of hiccups mirrors how personal emotion disrupts formal proceedings.

🎭 Comedy

The story thrives on witty misunderstandings, social maneuvering, and farcical gates of privilege. Quick quips, overheard conversations, and the actors' schemes push Mary, Tom, Phillip, and David into increasingly absurd situations. The humor comes from the clash between pomp and everyday longing.

🏛️ Power & Policy

A White House backdrop shows how personal choices ripple through politics, the Navy, and the judiciary. The island's strategic base and the plan to grant citizenship reveal the high-stakes side of seemingly lighthearted romance. The President and his aides manage delicate negotiations that shape national interests as well as love lives.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:43

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Narrative Summary

The plot hinges on a chain reaction of misunderstandings, often sparked by a protagonist trying to navigate a social world slightly above their station. The comedy arises from the tension between appearances and reality, with a focus on dating, reputation, and gentle satire of social conventions, all culminating in a happy ending where truth and love prevail.

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Unlock the Full Story of For the Love of Mary

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

For the Love of Mary Summary

Read a complete plot summary of For the Love of Mary, 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.

For the Love of Mary Summary

For the Love of Mary Timeline

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For the Love of Mary Timeline

For the Love of Mary Spoiler-Free Summary

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For the Love of Mary Spoiler-Free Summary

More About For the Love of Mary

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