Maid’s Night Out

Maid’s Night Out

Year: 1938

Runtime: 64 mins

Language: English

Director: Ben Holmes

Comedy

A millionaire's son accepts a challenge from his father and takes a job as a milkman for a month. During his deliveries he becomes smitten with a young debutante, mistakenly believing she is a maid, leading to comedic misunderstandings.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Maid’s Night Out 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 – Maid’s Night Out (1938)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Maid’s Night Out (1938). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s

The story unfolds during the 1930s, a period of economic hardship and social aspiration. Money, status, and reputation shape the choices of both families and individuals, while quick wit and screwball comedy provide escape. The era's manners and class dynamics inform the romance and the plot's obstacles.

Location

Norman Family Dairy, Small-town America

The action unfolds in a small American town centered on a family dairy. Early-morning milk deliveries shape daily life, while the town's social calendar—lit by charity balls and socialite gatherings—drives the plot. The setting blends working-class routines with upper-class aspirations, creating the backdrop for romance and farce.

🐄 Dairy industry 🏘️ Small-town life 🎪 Charity events

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:23

Main Characters – Maid’s Night Out (1938)

Meet the key characters of Maid’s Night Out (1938), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bill Norman (Allan Lane)

A wealthy, impulsive heir who must prove himself by working thirty days in his family’s dairy. He adopts the role of a regular milkman, learning responsibility and humility while pursuing Sheila. His charm masks a genuine willingness to change and put others first.

💎 Wealth & Charm 🏃‍♂️ Determination ❤️ Love

Sheila Harrison (Joan Fontaine)

A socialite beneath financial strain who is initially mistaken for a maid. Her growing affection for Bill softens her defenses against her mother's pressure and complex social expectations. She navigates love, duty, and the charity-ball world with wit and courage.

💃 Socialite 💖 Love 📉 Financial trouble

Mr. Norman (George Irving)

Bill’s father and a stern businessman who bets that Bill can work in the dairy. He values duty and propriety, but ultimately approves of Bill and Sheila once the truth about their relationship surfaces. His faith in hard work drives the film’s central conflict toward a reconciled ending.

💼 Father figure 🏢 Family business 🧭 Generational expectations

Tim Hogan (Eddie Gribbon)

A fellow milk deliveryman and Bill’s ally who helps drive the plan forward. He reveals Bill’s true identity to Sheila and helps secure a bailout when trouble arises. His practical, loyal nature keeps the scheme from unraveling.

🤝 Friend 🚚 Milk delivery 💡 Quick thinker

Adele (Vickie Lester)

Bill’s beautiful cousin who becomes part of the social swirl at the charity ball. She overhears Sheila’s denial of engagement and subtly influences the plot as a plot twist catalyst. Her presence underscores the complexities of appearances and family ties.

💃 Socialite 🎭 Plot twist 💖 Relative

Wally Martin (William Brisbane)

A wealthy suitor pressed into Sheila’s social orbit, representing high society and social pressure. He embodies the future that Sheila’s mother hopes for, creating tension with Bill’s more practical, heartfelt approach. His role highlights the clash between appearance and genuine connection.

🎩 High society ⚖️ Social pressure 💼 Suitor

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:23

Major Themes – Maid’s Night Out (1938)

Explore the central themes of Maid’s Night Out (1938), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💖 Love vs Class

Bill Norman, heir to a dairy fortune, falls for Sheila Harrison, a socialite facing financial trouble. Their romance crosses the clean lines of wealth and status, tested by parental expectations and the bet that drives Bill's unwitting disguise. The film suggests love can bridge class divides, ending with family sanction of the couple.

🎭 Deception & Identity

Bill's Milkman disguise and the mistaken identities around Adele and Sheila propel the conflict. Relationships hinge on misperceptions and dramatic revelations, showing how appearances can mislead. The truth emerges through clever chaos and timely confessions.

💪 Determination & Timing

Bill is driven to complete the milk rounds without a single mistake within the 30-day wager, a race against time. Tim Hogan's help keeps the plan afloat as complications arise and the law looms. The climax comes down to seconds, underscoring resolve and timing.

💼 Duty vs Desire

Bill's obligation to the family dairy clashes with his dream of adventure and love. Sheila's family pressures her toward an advantageous engagement, testing her autonomy. The resolution aligns personal happiness with family duties, validating a choice that honors both.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:23

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 Maid’s Night Out

Don't stop at just watching — explore Maid’s Night Out 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 Maid’s Night Out is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Maid’s Night Out Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Maid’s Night Out, 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.

Maid’s Night Out Summary

Maid’s Night Out Timeline

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

Maid’s Night Out Timeline

More About Maid’s Night Out

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Maid’s Night Out: 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 Maid’s Night Out

Explore More About Movie Maid’s Night Out

Maid’s Night Out (1938) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Maid’s Night Out (1938) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Maid’s Night Out (1938) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow