Lady by Choice

Lady by Choice

Year: 1934

Runtime: 76 mins

Language: English

Director: David Burton

ComedyDramaRomance

Men who loved her grew sadder - but WISER ! To improve her image, a fan dancer “adopts” an old woman to be her mother.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Lady by Choice 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 – Lady by Choice (1934)

Trace every key event in Lady by Choice (1934) 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

Court appearance for Patsy and Alabam

In court, Patsy Patterson is charged with drunk and disorderly conduct while Alabam Lee faces a morals charge. Judge Daly sentences Patsy to an old ladies' home and assigns Alabam a suspended sentence of one year in prison, with Johnny Mill vowing to help Patsy. The courtroom scene establishes the social clash and foreshadows the reform arc.

Courtroom
2

Adopt-a-mother publicity plan unfolds

Front O'Malley and Charlie Kendall devise an adopt-a-mother publicity stunt to improve Alabam's image. They bring reporters and photographers to the old ladies' home, where Alabam chooses Patsy Patterson to be her pretend mother and Patsy is introduced as the daughter of a Confederate general.

Old Ladies' Home
3

Patsy begins to reform and inspire Alabam

Patsy is moved by Alabam's kindness and begins to reform, tempering her drinking and adopting a more gracious outlook. Alabam, inspired by Patsy's change, starts reconsidering her own life as well.

Various locations
4

Kendall's embezzlement uncovered

Patsy uncovers that Kendall has skimmed most of Alabam's nightclub salary. She cuts Kendall out and begins to protect Alabam's money, setting the stage for real reform.

Nightclub offices
5

Patsy wins money and shows a ruse of inheritance

Patsy wins seven thousand dollars in a craps game and pretends the windfall is an inheritance. The money helps cover expenses when Alabam is out of work and keeps their plans afloat.

Casino craps table
6

Patsy pushes Alabam to train

Patsy urges Alabam to take acting, dancing and elocution lessons to improve her prospects. She helps map out a training path and pushes Alabam toward a more polished image.

Training studio
7

Opper's reluctant audition decision

Patsy visits the theatrical producer David Opper, whose support she once enjoyed. Opper reluctantly agrees to give Alabam an audition, but she fails to impress him.

David Opper's office
8

Johnny falls for Alabam; a romantic complication

Johnny meets Alabam and falls in love, while Alabam tries to extract a loan from him. Patsy sees through the scheme and leaves Alabam, ending their partnership.

Nightclub
9

Marriage proposal and parental veto

Johnny asks Alabam to marry him, but his mother has promised to disown him and leave him poor if they wed. Alabam feels relief that nobody will think she is marrying for money.

Johnny's family home
10

Judge Daly warned about the relationship

Patsy and Johnny's mother visit Judge Daly to ask him to stop the relationship. Daly warns Alabam that their union could bring consequences, but she remains unfazed at first.

Judge Daly's office
11

The talk of consequences shifts Alabam's stance

Daly explains that Alabam's past could ruin Johnny's career and social standing. Feeling the pressure, Alabam surrenders and returns to Kendall.

Alabam's nightclub
12

Patsy reveals her past to Alabam

Patsy confesses that she was once in the same position with Johnny's father and explains the heartbreak of their breakup. She says she does not want Alabam to repeat her mistake.

Patsy's home
13

Patsy changes her mind and supports the marriage

Watching Alabam's genuine love for Johnny, Patsy changes her mind about opposing the marriage and decides to support it.

Patsy's home
14

Fan dance interrupted and confrontation

Alabam's fan dance at the nightclub is interrupted by the police; she is taken to Judge Daly's office, where Daly, Patsy and Johnny confront her. The scene ends with Alabam embracing Johnny.

Nightclub, then Daly's Office
15

Resolution and hopeful future

The story closes with the couple's love reaffirmed and Patsy affirming her reform. The trio faces the future with renewed hope and unity, implying a stable path forward for Alabam and Johnny together.

Nightclub and Daly's Office

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:25

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Lady by Choice Summary

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Lady by Choice Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Lady by Choice

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Lady by Choice

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