Hold That Woman!

Hold That Woman!

Year: 1940

Runtime: 67 mins

Language: English

Director: Sam Newfield

ComedyCrime

A drama of bill collectors follows a skip‑tracer—a debt collector who repossesses late‑payment appliances—when he takes a tiny radio from a chronic deadbeat. He discovers a gang that stole diamonds from a Hollywood star has hidden the gems inside the radio, turning a routine repossession into a frantic chase as the thieves pursue him.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Hold That Woman! (1940) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Hold That Woman! (1940), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

A determined boss of a skiptrace agency, Bill Lannigan, sets a challenging goal for his top agent, Jimmy Parker — he has just thirty days to become as successful as his rival, Miles Hanover, or face termination. Jimmy, along with his fiancée Mary Mulvaney, who is also the daughter of a police officer, embarks on a series of detective-style missions, one of which involves repossessing a radio from Lulu Driscoll (Rita La Roy), who has not kept up with her payments.

Unbeknownst to Jimmy, the radio contains hidden stolen jewels belonging to the famous movie star Connie Hill. These jewels have been concealed by villains involved in her jewel theft case. When Jimmy forces his way into Lulu’s hotel room to retrieve the radio, Lulu becomes upset and calls the police, resulting in both Jimmy and Mary being arrested and taken to jail.

Meanwhile, John Lawrence (William Hall), Hill’s manager, is suspicious that her fiancé, Steve Brady, may be involved in her jewel theft. Lawrence and Hill listen secretly to a conversation between Brady and a man named Duke Jurgens, discussing a lucrative share in the theft. Determined to recover the stolen jewels, Lawrence hires the skiptracing agency to intervene, assigning Miles Hanover, Jimmy’s rival, to handle the case.

After being released from jail, Jimmy impulsively decides to marry Mary. They invest in a new home, buying furniture from a widow selling her possessions cheaply, symbolizing a fresh start. Driven by a desire to retrieve the jewelry and clear his name, Jimmy sets off to find Lulu, but discovers she has already moved.

Meanwhile, Miles Hanover witnesses the kidnapping of Brady by Jurgens and his gang. The criminals head to Lulu’s new residence, searching for the jewels. Their plan is thwarted when they notice Hanover spying on them. The gang ties up Hanover and captures Lulu and Brady, locking them in the trunk of a stolen car. As Jurgens’ gang ransacks the house in pursuit of the jewels, Jimmy arrives just in time to confront them, retrieving the radio.

In a twist of events, as Jimmy stores the radio in his trunk, a bag of stolen jewels accidentally falls out. Recognizing the car parked outside as one on his list, Jimmy quickly seizes the opportunity by commandeering the vehicle and sending Mary home with their own car for safety. The gang chases after Jimmy in a high-stakes pursuit, but both vehicles are stopped by police. Interestingly, one of the police officers turns out to be Jimmy’s future father-in-law. With the stolen jewels recovered, Jimmy shows him the evidence, confident he will earn the reward money from the insurance company.

However, their triumph is short-lived. Upon returning home, Jimmy and Mary realize they have been double-crossed; the furniture, bought cheaply earlier, has been repossessed by skiptracers, highlighting how their efforts to start anew have been undermined. Their adventure underscores themes of deception, perseverance, and the unpredictable nature of solving a crime while trying to build a life together.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:15

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Frantic crime capers like Hold That Woman!

Fast-paced chases and comedic misadventures born from a simple mistake.If you liked the fast-paced, lighthearted chase in Hold That Woman!, you'll enjoy these movies. Discover similar comedies and crime stories where a small mistake leads to big trouble, featuring energetic pacing, mischievous characters, and a focus on the chase rather than heavy drama. These films offer a fun, breezy viewing experience.

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These narratives typically launch from a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time or a minor mistake that escalates dramatically. The plot is a linear race against time, driven by a physical object (a MacGuffin) that everyone wants. Character goals are clear and simple, prioritizing fast-moving action and humorous situations over deep introspection.

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Movies where everyday life spirals into chaos like Hold That Woman!

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The narrative pattern begins with a protagonist engaged in a boring or frustrating routine. A single, seemingly minor event—often a misunderstanding or a chance discovery—serves as the catalyst, irrevocably shattering their normalcy. The journey is one of reactive adaptation, as the character is forced to navigate a bizarre and escalating situation they are utterly unprepared for.

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Hold That Woman! Timeline

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Hold That Woman! Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Hold That Woman!

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Hold That Woman!. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Hold That Woman!

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Hold That Woman! Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Hold That Woman!

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