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.

For the Love of Mary (1948) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at For the Love of Mary (1948) 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 bustling corridors of the nation’s most iconic building, a fresh perspective arrives on the switchboard. Mary Peppertree steps into the role her father, Timothy Peppertree, has long guarded, bringing a blend of wide‑eyed optimism and quiet determination to a job that feels more like a front‑row seat to history than a simple telephone relay. The White House hums with the constant clatter of calls, each line a thread that weaves together the corridors of power, the pulse of politics, and the everyday lives of those who navigate them.

From the moment she lifts the receiver, Mary finds herself at the crossroads of personalities as varied as a passionate ichthyologist championing a remote Pacific island and Supreme Court justices who seem just as eager to speak to her as to the nation. The office becomes a micro‑cosm where policy, personal ambition, and the occasional romantic spark flicker through every conversation. The tone is light‑hearted yet sharp, a witty dance that balances the gravitas of governance with the hum of human connection.

Amid the swirl of official business, Mary’s personal world begins to tangle with the political. An old flame, Phillip Manning, a seasoned Justice Department attorney, re‑enters the picture, while the earnest but stubborn David Paxton offers a cause that feels both earnest and outlandish. Meanwhile, the President’s inner circle—embodied by the ever‑attentive Harvey Elwood and the charismatic Lt. Tom Farrington—adds further layers of intrigue, flirting with both duty and desire. Their interactions hint at a delicate balance between professional decorum and the pull of affection, all played out against the backdrop of the West Wing’s historic walls.

The film settles into an atmosphere where a seemingly ordinary job becomes the fulcrum for larger questions: How far will a nation’s leaders go to protect a modest employee’s happiness? What compromises are made when personal loyalties intersect with national interests? Mary’s journey promises a charming, breezy exploration of love, ambition, and the unexpected ways a single voice can echo through the chambers of power.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:48

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Whimsical Workplace Romances like For the Love of Mary

Charming comedies where a quirky job setting fuels romantic misunderstandings.If you enjoyed the charming chaos of For the Love of Mary, you'll love these other movies where a quirky job leads to romantic entanglements. Discover similar lighthearted comedies featuring well-meaning protagonists, bureaucratic mix-ups, and a happily-ever-after ending.

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Narrative Summary

Stories typically follow a well-intentioned but sometimes naive character navigating a distinctive professional environment. The plot is driven by a series of comedic misunderstandings, often involving multiple suitors or a case of mistaken identity, all escalating within the unique rules and social dynamics of the workplace before reaching a happy resolution.

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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.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific comedic structure built on farcical misunderstandings and a light satirical look at social manners. The grouping emphasizes a consistent LIGHT tone, MODERATE complexity from intertwined subplots, and a fundamentally cheerful, low-intensity mood.

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For the Love of Mary Summary

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For the Love of Mary Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in For the Love of Mary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in For the Love of Mary

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