Kitty Foyle

Kitty Foyle

Year: 1940

Runtime: 108 mins

Language: English

Director: Sam Wood

RomanceDramaMoving relationship storiesEnduring stories of family and marital dramaHeartbreaking and moving family drama

The natural history of a woman A hard-working, white-collar girl falls in love with a young socialite, but meets with his family’s disapproval.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Kitty Foyle 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 & Setting – Kitty Foyle (1940)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Kitty Foyle (1940). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Philadelphia, New York City

The story moves between the chic fashion districts of New York and the exclusive Main Line of Philadelphia. It alternates between stylish boutiques and drawing rooms where social rules govern relationships. These settings establish Kitty's ascent from working girl to society figure, highlighting the tension between aspiration and status.

🏙️ City life 🎭 High society 🧵 Fashion world

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:08

Main Characters – Kitty Foyle (1940)

Meet the key characters of Kitty Foyle (1940), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kitty Foyle (Ginger Rogers)

A resourceful, compassionate saleswoman who faces a life-changing choice between love and security. She navigates social pressure with wit and resilience, choosing a path that honors her integrity. Her journey shows a strong moral compass and readiness to sacrifice personal happiness for others.

💖 Romantic lead 🧭 Determination

Wyn Strafford (Dennis Morgan)

A scion of a wealthy Main Line family who loves Kitty but is torn by duties to his lineage. He is generous and charismatic yet constrained by expectations, often acting out of deference to tradition rather than personal conviction.

💼 Wealth & Duty 💑 Romantic lead

Mark Eisen (James Craig)

A earnest doctor who respects Kitty for who she is rather than her social status. He provides steady, sincere support and a pragmatic counterpoint to Wyn's privileged world.

🩺 Doctor 💖 Stable romance

Delphine Detaille (Odette Myrtil)

Owner of a fashion house and Kitty's employer; savvy, stylish, and practical. She represents the professional path Kitty forges in New York.

🧵 Fashion 💼 Boss

Pop (Ernest Cossart)

Kitty's father, a voice of wisdom who cautions against chasing fantasies. His guidance grounds Kitty's choices and emphasizes family responsibility.

👨 Father figure 🧭 Guidance

Mrs. Strafford (Gladys Cooper)

Wyn's mother, representing aristocratic expectations and social scrutiny. Her presence underscores the pressures Kitty faces when courting Wyn.

🏰 Mother figure 🧭 Social pressure

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:08

Major Themes – Kitty Foyle (1940)

Explore the central themes of Kitty Foyle (1940), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love vs Duty

Kitty is torn between marrying Mark, a man she respects, and Wyn, whose wealth offers security but conflicts with true happiness. The dilemma pits personal desire against social expectations and financial risk. The film uses Kitty's decisions to examine how society values class over authentic connection. Ultimately, the story asks whether personal happiness can survive in a world that prizes status.

🏛️ Class & Society

A wealthy Main Line upbringing, inheritance concerns, and banking family duties frame the choices before Kitty. The risk of disinheritance and the pressure to maintain a revered lineage drive key plot turns. The film critiques a culture where worth is measured by wealth and lineage rather than character. Kitty's path challenges these rigid codes.

🪞 Identity & Autonomy

Kitty's sense of self evolves from dreamer to decisive adult capable of choosing her own path. Past experiences in Philadelphia shape her values and expectations for love and life. The narrative foregrounds personal agency amid social constraints, using romance and family ties to test her autonomy. The final choice marks a reaffirmation of her own identity.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:08

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.

Unlock the Full Story of Kitty Foyle

Don't stop at just watching — explore Kitty Foyle 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 Kitty Foyle is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Kitty Foyle Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Kitty Foyle, 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.

Kitty Foyle Summary

Kitty Foyle Timeline

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

Kitty Foyle Timeline

More About Kitty Foyle

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Kitty Foyle: 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 Kitty Foyle

Similar Movies to Kitty Foyle

Discover movies like Kitty Foyle 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.