Grounds for Marriage

Grounds for Marriage

Year: 1951

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Z. Leonard

ComedyMusic

Fun, Songs, Romance! Opera singer Ina Massine tries to win back former husband Dr. Lincoln I. Bartlett.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Grounds for Marriage (1951)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Grounds for Marriage (1951). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1950s

Grounds for Marriage is set in the early 1950s, a period of postwar optimism and evolving social norms. The film uses contemporary ideas about medicine and psychology to frame its characters' crises. Glamour and wit define the era's studio romance, shaping both mood and plot.

Location

Ina Massine's apartment, Linc Bartlett's apartment, Opera house during La Bohème premiere, Nightclub, Dr. Young's office

The story moves between private residences and public venues. Domestic spaces reveal the personal stakes of the love triangle, while the opera house and nightclub anchor the social drama. The medical office scenes provide the diagnostic framework for the crisis at the center of the plot. These locations together map a glamorous, high-society milieu.

🎭 Opera world 🏡 Domestic drama 🩺 Medical psychology 🕺 Nightlife

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:37

Main Characters – Grounds for Marriage (1951)

Meet the key characters of Grounds for Marriage (1951), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ina Massine (Kathryn Grayson)

An esteemed opera diva who divorced Linc three years earlier and now pursues him again. She is charismatic, resourceful, and willing to bend rules to reclaim their bond. Her seduction is both a tactic and a cry for emotional connection, highlighting her longing to be heard and understood. By the end, she recognizes Linc's enduring love and agrees to remarry, restoring his voice.

💃 Diva 💔 Ex-wife 🎭 Performer 💡 Seduction

Dr. Lincoln I. Bartlett (Van Johnson)

Throat specialist and Ina's former husband; he is engaged to Agnes. Professionally composed, he is pulled between loyalty to Agnes and lingering love for Ina. He suspects Ina's illness may be feigned but remains emotionally entangled. His feelings surface as Ina's voice returns, leading to a renewed but complicated acknowledgment of love.

💼 Doctor 💔 Past Relationship 💘 Romantic Tension 🧠 Psychology

Agnes Oglethorpe Young (Paula Raymond)

The beautiful young fiancée of Linc, and daughter of Dr. Carleton Radwin Young. She is loyal to her fiancé but deeply suspicious of Ina's persistence. Agnes reacts with frustration and jealousy, ultimately breaking off the engagement when she perceives the betrayal. Her stance underscores the social pressures and expectations surrounding marriage.

💎 Aristocrat 🤔 Suspicion 👰 Fiancée 🎯 Loyalty

Dr. Carleton Radwin Young (Lewis Stone)

A respected physician and mentor to Linc Bartlett. He represents tradition and medical authority within the circle, and his position frames the professional and social environment of the characters. His daughter Agnes's engagement to Linc situates him at the center of the love triangle's implications.

👨‍⚕️ Mentor 🏛️ Authority 🎯 Tradition

Chris Bartlett (Barry Sullivan)

Linc's brother who tries to help by arranging a date between Ina and Linc. He is well-meaning and socially connected, acting as a catalyst in the romantic diplomacy of the plot. His interventions reveal the family dynamics and the pressures of upholding appearances.

🤝 Brother 🎯 Matchmaking 🕴️ Social Connector

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:37

Major Themes – Grounds for Marriage (1951)

Explore the central themes of Grounds for Marriage (1951), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love Triangle

Centered on the evolving dynamic between Ina, Linc, and Agnes, the story probes passion, loyalty, and jealousy. Ina's determination to win back Linc tests commitments and reveals how desire can override reason. Linc's loyalty to Agnes clashes with lingering feelings for Ina, creating tension that drives the drama. The resolution hinges on a clear recognition of true affection and a willingness to reconcile.

🧠 Voice Recovery

The plot centers on functional aphonia, a condition that literalizes the emotional wound at the heart of the affair. Linc's medical diagnosis and Ina's role as patient-turned-partner reveal how voice and communication become pivotal to love. The film uses medical terms and therapy to explore how shock and upheaval affect self-expression. Ina's voice returning signals a deeper emotional awakening.

🎭 Performance Identity

Opera and public persona intersect with private life in a way that tests authenticity. Ina's stage career amplifies her strategic moves, while Linc's professional authority lends weight to the stakes at hand. The story shows how performance can mask vulnerability and influence relationships. The ending ties showmanship to sincerity as voice and love align.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:37

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Grounds for Marriage Summary

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Grounds for Marriage Summary

Grounds for Marriage Timeline

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Grounds for Marriage Timeline

More About Grounds for Marriage

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Grounds for Marriage (1951) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Grounds for Marriage (1951) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Grounds for Marriage (1951) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow