Love with the Proper Stranger

Love with the Proper Stranger

Year: 1963

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Mulligan

RomanceDramaComedyRelationship comedyMoving relationship stories

Angie Rossini, a naïve sales clerk in New York City bound by a repressive Italian‑American family, embarks on a brief affair with the handsome jazz musician Rocky Papasano. When she discovers she is pregnant, she tracks down Rocky, demanding he pay for the abortion she seeks.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Love with the Proper Stranger (1963)

Trace every key event in Love with the Proper Stranger (1963) 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

Angie discovers she is pregnant

Angie, a Macy's salesclerk, learns she is pregnant after a one-night stand with Rocky. The situation forces her to confront her future and the consequences of her choices. The discovery sets the emotional stakes for the rest of the story.

Shortly after the one-night stand
2

Angie confronts Rocky at Carnegie Hall audition

Angie confronts Rocky during a mass audition at Carnegie Hall, hoping for answers or accountability. Rocky only vaguely remembers her, leaving her feelings unresolved. The moment marks the collision between their past and their uncertain future.

Audition night Carnegie Hall
3

Angie asks Rocky to help with abortion

Angie asks Rocky to help fund and locate a doctor willing to perform an abortion. She reveals her pregnancy and her desperation, hoping for support from him. Rocky's hesitance begins to reveal his priorities and his feelings for Angie.

Soon after the audition Carnegie Hall area
4

Angie's brothers push marriage to Anthony

Angie's working-class brothers pressure her to marry Anthony, a successful restaurateur, to provide security. They view marriage as the practical route for the pregnancy. The tension between duty and desire starts to pull Angie in different directions.

During pregnancy Family home
5

Rocky and Angie try to fund the abortion

Rocky and Angie scrape up enough money for the abortion, balancing fear and urgency. They navigate the dangerous terrain of uncertain options, hoping to avoid the worst outcomes. The money hunt strains their relationship but also exposes their willingness to help each other.

During the abortion pursuit New York City
6

Brotherly pursuit through the neighborhood

Angie's brothers confront Rocky and Angie, chasing them through the neighborhood. The pursuit adds physical danger and tests their resolve. It also reinforces the brothers' control over Angie's future.

One night Neighborhood streets
7

Rocky hides in a warehouse and they talk

Rocky escapes into a friend's warehouse, where he and Angie discuss life, their mistakes, and their uncertain future. The moment deepens their emotional connection and reveals resilience in both characters. They begin to see a possible path forward together.

After the chase Friend's warehouse
8

They encounter a back-room abortionist

The couple visits a dubious abortion provider in the Meatpacking District, only to discover the operation is not a doctor but a back-room abortionist. Rocky's decision to protect Angie becomes a turning point in their relationship. Angie's relief comes from Rocky's choice to spare her from danger.

During the abortion attempt Meatpacking District, NYC
9

Angie rests in Rocky's ex-girlfriend's apartment

Moments after the traumatic episode, Angie rests in Rocky's ex-girlfriend's apartment. The calm allows her to reflect on her feelings, and Rocky's steady presence helps her feel safer. The experience cements a growing respect between them.

Immediately after the abortion scare Rocky's ex-girlfriend's apartment
10

Rocky shows maturity and a tentative commitment

Rocky, inspired by Angie's strength, agrees to consider marriage after meeting her brothers, but Angie rejects the notion of marriage as duty. She longs for romance and the bells and banjos she imagines in a life with a partner. The moment shifts their dynamic toward a more hopeful future.

After meeting the brothers With Angie's brothers / around family circles
11

Angie moves out and dates Anthony

Acting independently, Angie moves out of her family home and starts dating Anthony, the restaurateur who offers to marry her and claim the baby. The relationship represents a shift toward self-determination. She tests what she wants from life beyond family expectations.

After leaving home Angie's new apartment / city
12

Dinner date exposes cracks in their dynamic

Angie invites Rocky to come over for dinner at her apartment, setting up a formal date night. After two stiff drinks, Rocky makes crude advances and Angie rejects him, insisting she wants romance and not a repeat of past mistakes. The argument clarifies what she really desires in a relationship.

Dinner night Angie's apartment
13

Rocky wins Angie's heart with a protest

The next day, Rocky stands outside Macy's with a comic protest sign reading 'Better Wed Than Dead,' ringing bells and playing a banjo. The quirky, public gesture captures Angie’s attention and signals a new possibility for them. The moment marks a hopeful turning point toward marriage and partnership.

The next day Outside Macy's, NYC

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:42

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Love with the Proper Stranger Summary

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Love with the Proper Stranger Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Love with the Proper Stranger

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Love with the Proper Stranger

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