Lovin’ Molly

Lovin’ Molly

Year: 1974

Runtime: 98 mins

Language: English

Director: Sidney Lumet

RomanceDrama

Over nearly four decades, from 1925 to 1964, the story follows Molly Taylor, a beautiful, headstrong woman who loves love itself and embraces its uncertainties. Two Texas farm boys—principled Gid and relaxed Johnny—compete for her affection, yet Molly consistently declines to marry either, choosing her own path.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Lovin’ Molly (1974)

Trace every key event in Lovin’ Molly (1974) 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

Gid meets Molly and Johnny; rivalry begins

In 1925, Gid introduces himself along with his best friend Johnny and Molly Taylor. He works as a ranch hand at Molly's farm and immediately begins competing for Molly's affection. Their feuding and adventures unfold during trips with Molly's father to buy and sell cattle.

1925 Molly's farm
2

Friendship endures amid competition

Gid and Johnny's rivalry flares up during tasks on the farm, but their shared history keeps their friendship intact. They push one another as they help Molly's father manage cattle. The tension revolves around Molly's affections while everyday chores keep them together.

1925 Molly's father's ranch
3

Molly sleeps with both men; chooses none

Molly has intimate moments with both Gid and Johnny, testing the limits of the love triangle. She ultimately doesn't choose either man and instead marries Eddie, a school friend, after her father's death. The love triangle leaves Gid and Johnny with divergent paths.

1925 Molly's farm
4

Gid marries Sarah; Johnny leaves town

Gid marries Sarah, a local widow with several children. Johnny departs town for places unknown, signaling a shift in the trio's dynamics. Molly's world moves on as old ties stretch and new directions unfold.

late 1920s Texas
5

Johnny returns; helps Molly with the farm

In 1945, Johnny returns after years away, having married and later divorced his own wife. He takes a more active role in helping Molly run her late father's farm alongside Gid, who has grown closer to Molly. The household faces wartime pressures while preserving its history.

1945 Molly's farm
6

Molly reveals her three sons; all died in WWII

Molly reveals that she bore three sons from her suitors, and all three died in combat during World War II. Eddie, the husband she married after her father's death, had died years earlier from illness. The farm bears the weight of loss as the war shadows their lives.

1945 Molly's farm
7

Gid's heartbreak deepens; bond with Molly strengthens

Gid, now divorced from Sarah, spends most of his time with Molly on the farm. The closeness between them deepens as they cope with loss and the passing of years. Their connection remains a steady, if complicated, anchor for both.

1945 Molly's farm
8

Johnny helps keep the farm afloat

Johnny becomes more involved in running the family farm, drawing on shared memories and a renewed sense of purpose. He and Molly navigate the burdens of grief while preserving the business and the past. The trio's dynamic remains central to life on the land.

1945 Molly's farm
9

1964: Gid's illness grows; hospital stay

By 1964, Gid is dying of cancer and lies in a local hospital. Johnny keeps a bedside vigil, refusing to leave his friend's side. The years have altered their lives, but their loyalty endures even as mortality looms.

1964 Local hospital
10

Road trip to Molly's farm; a chance to relive the past

Johnny takes Gid away from the hospital for a few days to visit Molly at her father's farm. They work the land together and reminisce about the 'good old days' that are behind them. The journey marks a last, shared effort to reclaim memory.

1964 Route to Molly's farm
11

Gid dies; funeral and a final vow

On the way back to the hospital after the visit, Gid passes away. Johnny attends the funeral and makes sense of his friend's death among the people who mattered. The moment cements their long friendship as something unspoken yet enduring.

1964 Funeral site / roadside
12

Soul mates forever; Johnny leaves Molly

After the funeral, Molly and Johnny meet and acknowledge that they will always be soul mates, even though they never married or took over the farm. Johnny leaves Molly for the last time, carrying their shared history into the future.

1964 Molly's farm

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:22

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Lovin’ Molly Summary

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Lovin’ Molly Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Lovin’ Molly

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