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.

Where to Watch Hold That Woman!?

Find where to stream, rent, or buy Hold That Woman! (1940) in the US with current JustWatch availability, up-to-date pricing, and platform listings for subscription, rental, and digital purchase options.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Hold That Woman! yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Hold That Woman! (1940)

Trace every key event in Hold That Woman! (1940) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Introduction of Bill Lannigan's Ultimatum

Bill Lannigan, head of Skip Tracers Ltd., gives his agent Jimmy Parker thirty days to surpass his rival Miles Hanover in success or face termination. This sets a competitive goal for Jimmy and introduces the central conflict of proving himself.

2

Attempt to Repossess Radio from Lulu Driscoll

Jimmy, along with his girlfriend Mary, tries to repossess a radio from Lulu Driscoll, who has not kept up her payments. During the struggle, they discover that stolen jewels are hidden inside the radio, linking the case to a high-profile theft.

Lulu Driscoll's hotel
3

Police Arrest Jimmy and Mary

Lulu calls the police after Jimmy forcefully takes the radio. Both Jimmy and Mary are arrested and jailed, complicating their efforts to recover the stolen jewels connected to the movie star Connie Hill's theft.

Police station
4

Suspicion Falls on Steve Brady

While Jimmy is imprisoned, Connie Hill's manager suspects her fiancé Steve Brady of involvement in the jewel theft. They listen to a conversation implicating Brady and a man named Duke Jurgens, suggesting a deeper criminal plot.

5

Jimmy Gets Out of Jail and Marries Mary

After being released, Jimmy impulsively marries Mary and begins to settle into a new life, buying a house and furniture from a widow, showing his desire for stability despite ongoing criminal investigations.

Jimmy's new house
6

Jimmy Seeks Lulu for the Radio and Jewels

Jimmy searches for Lulu to recover the radio and stolen jewels but learns she has moved. Meanwhile, the gang led by Jurgens begins their search for the jewels at Lulu's new residence.

Lulu's residence
7

Gang Intervenes and Kidnaps Lulu and Brady

Jurgens and his gang find Lulu and Brady at her new house, tie up Lulu and Brady, and place them in a stolen car trunk to hide the jewels. They also see Hanover spying on them and react aggressively.

Lulu's new residence
8

Jimmy Intervenes in the Chase

Jimmy arrives during the gang's search and inadvertently gets involved. Jurgens gives him the radio to distract him, while the missing jewels fall from the radio, revealing their location.

9

Jimmy Tags the Stolen Car

Recognizing the stolen car outside the house, Jimmy takes it and sends Mary home with their own vehicle. The gang chases after him, leading to a police pursuit involving the stolen vehicle.

Outside Lulu's residence
10

Police Stop the Chase

The police, including Jimmy's father-in-law, intercept the chase and stop both vehicles. Jimmy reveals that he has recovered the jewels and plans to claim the reward from the insurance company, resolving the criminal case.

Roadside police stop
11

Jimmy and Mary Discover the Repossession

Jimmy and Mary return home to find that the furniture they bought has been repossessed by skiptracers, illustrating the ongoing influence of the criminal activities and the consequences they face after their adventures.

Their home

Last updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:15

Was this helpful?

Hold That Woman! (1940) Timeline Questions Answered – Chronology FAQ

Find frequently asked questions about the Hold That Woman! (1940) timeline, including chronological order, nonlinear jumps, cause-and-effect links, and scene sequence clarifications. This timeline FAQ helps explain when key events happen, how moments connect, and why the story unfolds in that specific order.

Q1

Why does Jimmy try to repossess the radio from Lulu Driscoll?

A.

Jimmy, a skiptracer for a debt collection agency, is ordered to repossess the radio because Lulu has failed to keep up with her payments. It's his job to recover unpaid appliances, and this routine repossession is one of several detective-style missions he undertakes to meet his boss's challenge of surpassing his rival Miles Hanover within thirty days.

skiptracerrepossessionlulu driscollradiojob
Q2

How did the stolen jewels get hidden inside the radio?

A.

The radio contained stolen jewels belonging to movie star Connie Hill. Villains involved in her jewel theft hid the gems inside the radio, which eventually ended up in Lulu Driscoll's possession as collateral for an unpaid debt. Jimmy had no idea the radio contained anything valuable when he repossessed it.

jewelshiddenradioconnie hillstealing
Q3

Why was Steve Brady suspected of stealing Connie Hill's jewels?

A.

Connie Hill's manager John Lawrence became suspicious of her fiancé Steve Brady after overhearing a conversation between Brady and a man named Duke Jurgens discussing a lucrative share in the theft. This led Lawrence to hire the skiptracing agency to investigate Brady's involvement in the crime.

Earlier scenes establish Connie Hill's manager as observant and protective of her interests, which makes his suspicion of Brady believable.

steve bradyconnie hillsuspicionjewel theftjurgens
Q4

Why does Jimmy marry Mary after being released from jail?

A.

After getting arrested with Mary during the repossession gone wrong, Jimmy decides to marry her impulsively upon his release. This decision reflects his desire for stability and starting fresh despite the chaos. They buy a house and furniture together, trying to build a new life while Jimmy continues his investigation to clear his name and recover the jewels.

marriagejimmymaryimpulsivenew life
Q5

Why does Duke Jurgens' gang kidnap Lulu and Brady?

A.

Duke Jurgens and his gang are searching for the stolen jewels they hid in the radio. When they locate Lulu at her new residence, they kidnap her and Steve Brady (who was also there) to force them to reveal the jewels' location. The gang ties them up and locks them in the trunk of a stolen car while they ransack the house.

kidnaplulujurgensbradyjewels
Q6

How does Jimmy end up recovering the stolen jewels?

A.

Jimmy arrives at Lulu's house during the gang's search. In the chaos, Jurgens gives him the radio to distract him, but the bag of stolen jewels accidentally falls out from the radio. Jimmy notices a stolen car outside, commandeers it, and the jewels fall out during the chase. When police stop both vehicles, Jimmy has the jewels and plans to claim the reward from the insurance company.

recoverjewelschasepolicejimmy
Q7

Why are Jimmy and Mary's furniture repossessed at the end?

A.

Jimmy and Mary bought furniture cheaply from a widow who was selling her possessions, thinking they'd found a fresh start. However, the furniture was purchased on credit, and when they failed to make payments, skiptracers repossessed it. This ironic twist shows how their own profession of repossessing goods has now come back to haunt them, delivering a comedic ending despite their success in recovering the jewels.

Early scenes establish that Jimmy works for a skiptracing agency that repossesses items from people who don't pay, making this ending a fitting ironic reversal.

furniturerepossessironyendingjimmymary
Q8

Who kidnaps Steve Brady and why?

A.

Duke Jurgens and his gang kidnap Steve Brady because they suspect he knows the location of the stolen jewels. Although Brady was actually a suspect in the jewel theft himself, the criminals view him as a potential informant who might reveal where the gems were hidden. They take him to Lulu's house along with Lulu herself, locking both in a car trunk while they search for the jewels.

kidnapbradyjurgensgang
Q9

What happens to Miles Hanover during the investigation?

A.

Miles Hanover, Jimmy's rival at the skiptracing agency, is assigned by John Lawrence to investigate the jewel theft case. While spying on the gang at Lulu's new residence, Hanover witnesses the kidnapping of Brady. The gang notices him watching and ties him up along with the other captives. He is later freed when Jimmy arrives and confronts the criminals.

miles hanoverrivalinvestigationtied up
Q10

Why does Lulu call the police on Jimmy?

A.

Lulu calls the police after Jimmy forcefully enters her hotel room to repossess the radio. She becomes upset by his aggressive approach and the intrusion into her home. This results in both Jimmy and Mary being arrested and taken to jail, momentarily derailing Jimmy's investigation and creating a setback in his quest to meet his deadline.

lulupolicearrestjimmymary
Q11

What is the thirty-day deadline Jimmy must meet?

A.

Bill Lannigan, boss of Skip Tracers Ltd., gives Jimmy Parker thirty days to become as successful as his rival Miles Hanover or face termination. This deadline creates urgency and drives Jimmy to take on increasingly risky repossession jobs, including the one that leads him to discover the hidden jewels. The compressed timeline contributes to the film's fast-paced narrative.

deadlinebill lanniganterminationrival
Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems - dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

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.

energeticfranticlightheartedchase-drivenmischievousfast-pacedcomic crime

Narrative Summary

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.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups films that share a specific mix of crime genre elements with a comedic, non-threatening tone. The shared experience is one of a fun, breathless dash, where the thrill comes from the chase itself and the comedic mishaps along the way, rather than from genuine danger or emotional weight.

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

When a completely ordinary situation spirals into absurd and unpredictable trouble.Find movies similar to Hold That Woman! where a routine task leads to an unpredictable adventure. If you enjoyed seeing a simple repossession turn into a diamond chase, you'll like these stories of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances. These films blend relatable settings with comedic, fast-paced plots.

absurdescalatingrelatableunpredictablechaoticcomedicwrong place wrong time

Narrative Summary

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.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on the shared thematic core of mundane life colliding with the absurd. They deliver a specific comedic payoff: the thrill of seeing relatable problems balloon into wild adventures, all while maintaining a connection to the character's original, ordinary world.

Unlock the Full Story of Hold That Woman!

Don't stop at just watching - explore Hold That Woman! 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 Hold That Woman! is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Hold That Woman! Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Hold That Woman!, 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.

Hold That Woman! Summary

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!

Hold That Woman! Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Hold That Woman! that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Hold That Woman! Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Hold That Woman!

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Hold That Woman!: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links - all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Hold That Woman!

Similar Movies to Hold That Woman!

Discover movies like Hold That Woman! that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.