If a Man Answers

If a Man Answers

Year: 1962

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: English

Director: Henry Levin

ComedyRomance

Rich socialite Chantal marries photographer Eugene, and their marriage seems blissful until a jealous friend begins plotting to separate them. In panic she turns to her mother for guidance, but the mother’s well‑meaning yet meddlesome advice only complicates matters, threatening to undermine the fragile happiness the couple has built.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – If a Man Answers (1962)

Trace every key event in If a Man Answers (1962) 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

Move to New York City

Following John's promotion, the Stacy family relocates to New York City. Chantal faces a new, fast-paced life that brings her closer to the world of fashion and photography. The move sets the stage for Chantal's future meeting with a photographer and the beginnings of her romantic path with Gene.

After John's promotion New York City
2

First modeling shoot on Fifth Avenue

Chantal is discovered when Eugene Wright offers to photograph her. The first shoot unfolds on Fifth Avenue, bringing attention to her beauty. Her father arrives on set, signaling his disapproval of the skimpy outfit.

During Chantal's first shoot after arriving in NYC Fifth Avenue, New York
3

Confrontation on set and return home

John interrupts the shoot and punches Gene after spotting the provocative outfit. He takes Chantal home, determined to shield her from what he perceives as danger. Chantal grapples with her father's protective stance and her growing attraction to Gene.

During the first shoot Gene's photo shoot set, New York
4

Decision to marry and Gene's shift away from modeling

Chantal tells her mother she wants to keep modeling and stay with Gene. Germaine explains how to navigate marriage and living with a partner. Chantal decides to marry Gene, but he then bars her from modeling, turning her into a housewife.

After the shoot incident and decision to marry Home in NYC
5

Tina arrives and stirs jealousy

Chantal's college friend Tina arrives in New York and goes after Gene, flirting openly. Gene responds to Tina's advances, making Chantal nervous about her marriage. The tension between romance and loyalty begins to intensify.

After Chantal's marriage New York City
6

The dog-training book appears

Germaine gives Chantal a book titled How To Train Man's Best Friend, claiming it will help her live with her husband. Chantal applies the techniques in everyday interactions and surprisingly notices the changes in Gene's behavior. The book is framed as guidance for managing married life rather than training a pet.

After Tina's arrival Home
7

Reframing the book's purpose

Germaine clarifies that the book is really about staying with a husband and understanding him, not turning him into a pet. Chantal begins to view marriage through a new lens, though she still tests boundaries with Gene. The dynamic between husband and wife grows more complex.

Shortly after starting the book Home
8

The plan: a pretend lover to provoke jealousy

Tina's drunken confession about loneliness prompts Germaine to propose a further trick: bringing in a pretend lover for Chantal. They orchestrate a scheme to make Gene jealous by introducing the illusion of an affair with a man named Robert Swan.

After Tina's confession New York (home or social circle)
9

The roses and the call: fueling the ruse

Chantal and her mother execute the plan by sending white roses and making phone calls to suggest a forbidden romance. The ruse inflames Gene's jealousy and pushes Chantal toward a more tangled web of deception. Chantal wonders how far this test will go.

During the rose-and-call phase Home and florist
10

Dinner with the 'Robert Swan'

Gene invites the supposed Robert Swan to dinner and even asks him to move in, proposing a polyandrous arrangement. Chantal rings her mother for guidance while the evening unfolds, unsure of what lies ahead. The men play out a complicated game that blurs lines between fantasy and reality.

During the dinner invitation Chantal and Gene's home
11

Swan is revealed as Adam Wright, the father

Chantal discovers that Robert Swan is actually Adam Wright, Gene's father, disguising himself as her mother's former lover. The revelation shifts the power dynamics and forces the characters to confront the truth behind the deception. She and her mother decide to continue playing along for the moment before unpacking the implications.

After snooping and realization Home
12

The truth comes out; reconciliation begins

Germaine learns from John that Gene, Adam, and the Swan ruse were premeditated with a shared joke in mind. She concedes defeat but praises her husband for loyalty and the resilience of their marriage. The family begins to reconcile after the revelation.

End of deception Family home
13

Chantal's pregnancy confirms a new beginning

In the final beat, Chantal is revealed to be pregnant, matching Germaine's early suspicion. The news seals a renewed harmony among Chantal, Gene, and their families, promising a hopeful future in New York. The film closes on a note of love, loyalty, and family.

End of film New York

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 12:33

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If a Man Answers Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in If a Man Answers

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