Her Cardboard Lover

Her Cardboard Lover

Year: 1942

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: George Cukor

RomanceComedyRelationship comedyCharming romances and delightful chemistryGags jokes and slapstick humor

Playing with love is risky- but such fun! A flirt tries to make her fiancée jealous by hiring a gigolo.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Her Cardboard Lover (1942)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Her Cardboard Lover (1942). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Palm Beach, Florida

A glamorous coastal resort town in Florida hosts a flashy Palm Beach casino where socialites mingle and gamble. The setting embodies high-society decadence, private yachts, and sun-soaked soirées that drive the plot. The casino environment provides the backdrop for the romantic and comic misadventures of Terry and Consuelo.

🏖️ Resort town 🎰 Casino scene 🌊 Seaside glamour

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:18

Main Characters – Her Cardboard Lover (1942)

Meet the key characters of Her Cardboard Lover (1942), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Consuelo Croyden (Norma Shearer)

A high-society woman who leverages money and social influence to guide her romantic entanglements. She uses Terry as secretary and pretend fiancé to deter Tony, while her feelings unexpectedly evolve. Her actions reveal a tension between pride, desire, and the consequences of deception.

💎 💃 🧭

Terry Trindale (Robert Taylor)

A songwriter who pursues Consuelo while playing the part of her fiancé to fend off rivals. His charm clashes with reckless decisions, pulling him into brawls and disguises as he navigates love, debt, and loyalty. He ultimately must choose between art, obligation, and true affection.

🎶 💘 🕺

Tony Barling (George Sanders)

Consuelo's former fiancé who suspects the depth of her feelings for Terry. Driven by jealousy and pride, he pushes the plot toward confrontation, challenging Terry's claims and threatening to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his.

💼 🧭 ⚔️

Chappie Champagne (Frank McHugh)

A songwriting partner who provides humor and practical aid, including financing outcomes of their scheme. He acts as a catalyst, moving the story toward its resolution through music and camaraderie.

🎹 📝 🕊️

Judge (Chill Wills)

The courtroom authority overseeing the charges and fines that frame the film's climax. He embodies order as the lovers' tangled relationships come under legal scrutiny.

⚖️ 👨‍⚖️ 🏛️

Eva (Elizabeth Patterson)

A member of Consuelo's social circle who appears within the high-society world surrounding the romance. She adds texture to the casino and social scenes, contributing to the atmosphere of opulence.

🌟 👗 🗺️

Arresting Plainclothesman (Hobart Cavanaugh)

The officer who apprehends Terry and Tony during the night-time altercation, underscoring the reach of law in their schemes.

👮‍♂️ 🚓 🧩

George - Casino Doorman (Bud Jamison)

A casino employee who anchors the social setting, facilitating the flirtations and gambling that propel the plot.

🛎️ 🃏 🏝️

Casino Patron (Winifred Harris)

A background figure in the Palm Beach casino milieu who helps create the atmosphere of luxury that frames the romance.

🕴️ 👒 🎲

Police Officer in Courtroom (King Baggot)

A courtroom figure involved in the hearing where the charges are addressed, contributing to the film's legal-tinged climax.

⚖️ 🗣️ 🏛️

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:18

Major Themes – Her Cardboard Lover (1942)

Explore the central themes of Her Cardboard Lover (1942), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love Deception

The central romance hinges on a web of deception: a staged engagement to keep rivals at bay and protect an unwitting relationship from scrutiny. Consuelo and Terry navigate mixed signals, blurring the lines between affection and obligation. The plot sustains tension as true feelings clash with social games and calculated moves.

🎭 Social Masks

Characters perform prescribed roles—fiancé, lover, confidant—to satisfy social expectations in a glittering, high-society milieu. Appearances mask intentions, and the characters must decide how much of their true selves to reveal. The narrative constantemente tests whether reputation or honesty governs their choices.

💸 Debt and Gambling

A gambling debt sets the plot in motion, forcing Terry into a servant-turned-lover dynamic to repay the loan and navigate perilous relationships. Money pressures drive splits, reconciliations, and legal trouble, illustrating how financial ties complicate romance and freedom. The resolution pivots on balancing affection with the consequences of debt.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:18

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Unlock the Full Story of Her Cardboard Lover

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Her Cardboard Lover Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Her Cardboard Lover, 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.

Her Cardboard Lover Summary

Her Cardboard Lover Timeline

Track the full timeline of Her Cardboard Lover with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Her Cardboard Lover Timeline

More About Her Cardboard Lover

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More About Her Cardboard Lover

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