Maisie Goes to Reno

Maisie Goes to Reno

Year: 1944

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Harry Beaumont

ComedyRomance

YOU’LL BE CRAZY ABOUT MAISIE! A Brooklyn showgirl gets mixed up in a divorce between a soldier and his wife.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Maisie Goes to Reno 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 – Maisie Goes to Reno (1944)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Maisie Goes to Reno (1944). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1940s

The story unfolds during World War II, when wartime production and enlistment shaped everyday life. Maisie takes a two-week paid vacation from her riveter job and travels to Reno, where romance, scheming, and urgency collide. The wartime setting informs the characters’ mobility, independence, and reliance on quick, decisive actions.

Location

Reno, Nevada

Reno is a resort city in Nevada known for its casinos, shows, and nightlife. In the film, Reno provides a flashy backdrop where Maisie’s vacation spirals into a web of deception, romance, and intrigue. The city's casino culture and showbiz atmosphere frame the plot as a fast-paced, diverting getaway that ends in a courthouse reunion.

🎰 Gambling hub 🏙️ Entertainment district

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:35

Main Characters – Maisie Goes to Reno (1944)

Meet the key characters of Maisie Goes to Reno (1944), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Maisie Ravier (Ann Sothern)

A quick-witted, hard-working WWII riveter who seeks a vacation and a spark of romance. She becomes entangled in a web of deception and must balance loyalty to friends with her own sense of justice. Her street-smarts help her uncover the forged letter, though she faces doubt as others suspect she’s losing her grip.

🎭 Protagonist 🧠 Clever 💃 Entertainer

Bill Fullerton (Tom Drake)

A sergeant on leave who travels to Reno to repair his marriage and stop Gloria from divorcing him. He encounters Maisie and becomes part of a complicated wartime romance. He is earnest and drawn into the chaos of the Reno trip.

🎖️ Military 💘 Relationship 🚶‍♂️ Traveler

Gloria Fullerton (Ava Gardner)

A wealthy wife whose marriage is the target of manipulation in Reno. She seeks independence through divorce but is pulled back toward reconciliation as events unfold. The forged letters and scheming advisers test her judgment and trust in Bill.

💎 Wealth 💔 Relationships 🗝️ Trust

Philip 'Flip' Hennahan (John Hodiak)

A suave nightclub figure who becomes Maisie's ally and romantic interest. He is drawn into the intrigue surrounding Gloria's marriage, and his perceptions of Maisie shift as the plot thickens. His loyalty wavers but ultimately helps reunite the couple.

🎩 Showbiz ❤️ Romance 🤝 Ally

J. E. Clave (Bernard Nedell)

The forger hired to craft a letter that could derail Gloria's marriage. He embodies the anti-hero in a plot driven by greed and reputation. His actions trigger the chain of events Maisie must navigate to uncover the truth.

🕵️‍♂️ Criminal 🗂️ Conspiracy

Roger Pelham (Paul Cavanagh)

Gloria's business manager who participates in the scheme to secure Gloria's divorce for personal gain. His motives push the plot into moral ambiguity and complicate Maisie's investigation.

💼 Manager 🪪 Conspiracy

Winifred 'Wini' Ashbourne (Marta Linden)

Gloria's private secretary who orchestrates the plan with Clave and Pelham. She is the operational mind behind the deception, driving the plot toward divorce and financial motives.

👔 Secretary 🧠 Mastermind

Jerry (Roland Dupree)

A lovestruck hotel bellboy who assists Maisie in her schemes, including the plan to kidnap Gloria. He adds a touch of comic chaos while being emotionally invested in Maisie.

🔔 Bellboy 💘 Smitten

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:35

Major Themes – Maisie Goes to Reno (1944)

Explore the central themes of Maisie Goes to Reno (1944), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💘 Love and Deception

Maisie navigates real attraction to Flip while uncovering a plot to separate Gloria from Bill. Forged letters and manipulative schemes test trust and honesty. The film uses romance as a driver for a mystery that asks characters to choose integrity over expedience.

🕵️ Investigation and Agency

Maisie takes an active role in gathering evidence to reveal the forgery and protect Gloria. The plot hinges on uncovering Clave’s scheme and its conspirators, with Maisie’s ingenuity steering the resolution. Her actions illustrate a wartime heroine taking charge amid confusion and danger.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:35

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 Maisie Goes to Reno

Don't stop at just watching — explore Maisie Goes to Reno 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 Maisie Goes to Reno is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Maisie Goes to Reno Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Maisie Goes to Reno, 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.

Maisie Goes to Reno Summary

Maisie Goes to Reno Timeline

Track the full timeline of Maisie Goes to Reno with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Maisie Goes to Reno Timeline

More About Maisie Goes to Reno

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Maisie Goes to Reno: 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 Maisie Goes to Reno

Similar Movies to Maisie Goes to Reno

Discover movies like Maisie Goes to Reno that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.