Year: 1931
Runtime: 92 mins
Language: English
Director: Leo McCarey
A promising young woman’s future is threatened when a careless mistake from an earlier time resurfaces. When an old acquaintance reappears, the secret she thought was buried threatens to ruin her budding romance, forcing her to decide whether to conceal the truth or risk losing the man she loves.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Indiscreet (1931), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Determined to start the new year off right, Geraldine ‘Gerry’ Trent Gloria Swanson sends her unfaithful boyfriend, Jim Woodward Monroe Owsley, packing. A short time later, her friend Buster Collins Arthur Lake introduces her to author Tony Blake Ben Lyon. Gerry loves Tony’s book, Obey That Impulse, and finds him attractive as well. Tony immediately proposes marriage. Gerry just laughs, but together they have a lot of fun acting out Tony’s theory, and she soon realizes that she loves and wants to marry him. First, though, she feels she must tell him about her affair with Jim despite dire warnings from her Aunt Kate Maude Eburne.
Although he’s upset by the news, Tony still wants to marry her.
The next day, Gerry’s sister Joan Trent Barbara Kent arrives home from school in France, where, unknown to Gerry, she has fallen in love with Jim. When Gerry finds out, she warns Jim to stay away from her sister, but he doesn’t take the situation seriously and invites everyone to his parents’ house party. Initially, Gerry refuses to go, but when she finds out that business will prevent Tony from attending, she decides to go after all and keep an eye on Joan. Desperate to break Joan’s engagement, Gerry first pretends to be a little crazy. When this doesn’t work, she pretends she is still in love with Jim. While the two of them are alone together, she signals to Joan for help by singing a special song. Joan comes to her aid only to see Gerry and Jim embracing. Unfortunately, so does Tony, who has arrived at the last minute. Heartbroken, Gerry returns home, where Aunt Kate convinces her to pursue Tony who is sailing for Europe. After she leaves, Tony shows up at her apartment, saying he loves Gerry and wants to get back together with her. Aunt Kate tells him to go find her at the boat. Gerry sneaks on the boat; Tony arrives and they meet. Since there are no free cabins, Tony offers his and asks the captain to marry them immediately so they can share it.
Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 08:33
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