Ladies in Love (1936) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Martha quits after Sandor kisses her, misinterpreting her interest as romantic. She had only intended to help with his magic act and sell her neckties, not pursue a relationship. The misunderstanding leads her to leave the stage immediately.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Martha brought neckties to the theater primarily to sell them, not to pursue the magician.

• martha
• sandor
• magician
• assistant
• quits
• kiss

Susie attempts suicide after being rejected by Karl Lanyi, the man she loves, who is planning to marry someone else. Heartbroken and desperate, she drinks poison in a moment of despair, and Martha accidentally drinks some as well.

Foreshadowing: Susie had declared she wanted independence from men, but her romantic optimism led her to pursue Karl boldly and confess her love, setting up the devastating rejection.

• susie
• poison
• suicide
• rejection
• karl
• despair

Yoli's admirer leaves her for Marie, a much younger woman, because Yoli's practiced coldness and detachment made him feel unwelcome. Her guarded, callous exterior hid her true feelings, pushing him toward someone who reciprocated his affection more openly.

Foreshadowing: Yoli wishes for a rich husband but maintains a cool exterior, and she pretends not to care about John Barta even though he clearly interests her.

• yoli
• john barta
• marie
• rejection
• younger woman

After Susie and Martha both drink the poison, Dr. Imre, the same doctor Martha worked for feeding his bunnies, saves their lives. The shared crisis brings them closer, and they develop a romantic relationship built on trust, companionship, and gratitude.

Foreshadowing: Martha is already connected to Dr. Imre through her part-time job feeding his bunnies, establishing their initial relationship.

• martha
• dr rudi imre
• doctor
• relationship
• poison
• rescue

Martha accompanies Susie to the theater hoping to meet the magician Sandor and sell neckties. Sandor needs an assistant after firing someone, and Martha steps in. However, he misreads her friendly interest as romantic affection and kisses her, causing her to quit.

Foreshadowing: Martha brings a case of neckties to the theater, showing her primary interest was business, not romance.

• martha
• sandor
• magic show
• neckties
• assistant
• kiss

The three women perform a ritual counting the corners of their room and making wishes aloud. Susie wishes for independence from men, Yoli wishes for a rich husband, and Martha wishes for a home, a man, and children. This ritual establishes their desires and foreshadows the romantic events that follow.

Foreshadowing: Each woman's wish directly predicts her storyline: Susie's independence struggle, Yoli's wealth-focused romance, and Martha's eventual domestic happiness.

• wishes
• ritual
• room
• counting
• susie
• yoli
• martha
• budapest

Karl Lanyi, whom Susie falls in love with and confesses her feelings to, does not reciprocate her affection. He goes on to marry someone else, leaving Susie heartbroken and desperate.

Foreshadowing: Susie declares she wants independence from men, yet pursues Karl boldly, and Karl's slow response to her confession hints at his lack of genuine interest.

• karl lanyi
• susie
• reject
• marriage
• heartbreak

Susie, devastated by Karl's rejection, drinks poison in a suicide attempt. Martha, unaware of what Susie has done, accidentally takes a sip of the poison as well, leading to a life-threatening situation for both women.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows Susie drinking first in her despair, with Martha's poisoning being accidental.

• poison
• suzie
• martha
• accident
• drinking
• doctor

The three women eventually leave their shared Budapest apartment and move on with their lives. Martha finds love with Dr. Imre, Susie recovers from her heartbreak and gains resilience, and Yoli begins to open up to genuine companionship rather than calculated romance.

Foreshadowing: The wishing ritual at the beginning sets up each woman's journey toward the futures they ultimately find.

• women
• apartment
• leave
• ending
• martha
• susie
• yoli
• budapest

Yoli maintains a cool, guarded exterior toward John Barta despite her apparent interest. She keeps a callous stance toward romance, masking her vulnerable feelings beneath a performance of indifference, which ultimately contributes to his departure to Marie.

Foreshadowing: Yoli's wish for a rich husband reveals her practical approach to love, but her cold behavior contradicts her true desires.

• yoli
• john barta
• pretends
• indifferent
• guarded
• romance