Molly and Me

Molly and Me

Year: 1945

Runtime: 77 mins

Language: English

Director: Lewis Seiler

Comedy

A vivacious actress needing work becomes a housekeeper for a crusty retired politician, and gives his life the shaking-up that it needs.

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Timeline & Setting – Molly and Me (1945)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Molly and Me (1945). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1937

The events unfold in 1937 London, during a period when vaudeville and stage performers navigated a rigid social hierarchy. Political ambitions mingle with personal reputations, heightening the stakes for everyone involved. Domestic life and public appearances clash as secrets threaten to erupt into scandal.

Location

London, Suffolk

London serves as the hub of theatre and upper-class society where Molly hunts for work. The Graham household is a grand London residence that becomes a stage for power, wit, and social maneuvering. The story shifts to Suffolk when Graham travels there to meet a potential ally for his political bid, showing the countryside as a backdrop to political ambitions.

🎭 Theatre 🏛 High Society 🏡 Grand House

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:00

Main Characters – Molly and Me (1945)

Meet the key characters of Molly and Me (1945), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Molly Barry (Gracie Fields)

A struggling vaudeville actress who improvises a new role as housekeeper for John Graham. Resourceful, quick-witted, and determined to shape her own destiny, she orchestrates arrangements to keep the household running and protects her employer’s interests while pursuing opportunity. Her charm and practicality turn crisis into a path forward.

🎭 Performer 💼 Problem-solver 🧹 Domestic ingenuity

John Graham (Monty Woolley)

An upper-class gentleman and former politician who risks his career for a political comeback. He is gruff and skeptical at first, especially toward former actors in the household, but shows warmth to his son and capacity for growth. His past scandal fuels present tensions and tests his leadership in the family and public sphere.

🏛 Politician 🧔 Traditionalist 🕊 Family man

Peabody (Harry Phillips)

The Graham butler who reluctantly goes along with Molly’s ruse to retain control of the household. He carries the burden of duty and a quiet past as an actor, which complicates his authority. His actions reveal the thin line between loyalty and self-preservation within a social hierarchy.

🤵 Butler 🧠 Resourceful 🗝 Loyal

Kitty Goode-Burroughs

A former exotic dancer who married into the peerage and provides a fake reference for Molly. Shrewd and social-climbing, she navigates High Society with flair, complicating the dynamics of the Graham household. Her involvement illustrates the performative nature of reputation.

🎀 Social climber 💬 Connector 👑 Aristocrat by marriage

Mrs. Graham

The ex-wife who resurfaces to threaten Graham with a financial demand tied to their past scandal. Her return unsettles the household and tests Graham’s resolve and Molly’s improvisational skills. She embodies the risk of reputational damage that public life invites.

💼 Ex-wife 🕵️‍♀️ Scandal 🫖 Manipulator

Jimmy Graham

Graham’s teenage son whose insecurities and sense of being reminded of his mother shape his behavior. His illness and need for care reveal a softer side of Graham and test Molly’s ability to foster family connection. He also channels the tension between affection and authority in the household.

🧒 Teenager 🩺 Ill 🎭 Sensitive

Sir Arthur Burroughs

A publisher of a major London newspaper who attends the formal dinner. His presence underscores the power of media and public opinion in shaping political outcomes. He symbolizes the press as a force that can make or break reputations.

📰 Media 🏛 Influence 👔 Polished

Julia

Molly’s friend and fellow actor who participates in the dinner service to support Molly. She embodies camaraderie among performers who navigate social expectations while pursuing personal ambitions. Her interactions add warmth and humor to the plot’s social scenes.

🎭 Actress 🤝 Friend 🧩 Supportive

Lily

Another friend and fellow actor who accompanies Molly in social settings. Lily represents the ensemble of theatrical circles that intersect with domestic life, helping to weave together performance and service. Her presence adds charm and lightness to tense moments.

🎭 Entertainer 👫 Friend 🗺 Social network

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:00

Major Themes – Molly and Me (1945)

Explore the central themes of Molly and Me (1945), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Identity

Molly adopts a new role as housekeeper, using performance instincts to manage a complex household. The story tests how far a person can reinvent themselves without losing core identity. The line between performer and householder blurs, driving both comedy and warmth. Reinvention becomes a tool for navigating class and desire.

🏛 Power & Class

Molly’s job becomes a strategic move within London's social ladder, exposing how class and reputation shape opportunities. Graham’s political comeback is shadowed by a past scandal, threatening his authority and family ties. The domestic staff’s loyalties and mischief reveal the fragility of aristocratic privilege. Deception and deft maneuvering illuminate how power is earned, kept, and contested.

🤝 Family & Reconciliation

The father-son dynamic between Graham and Jimmy anchors the film, exposing misunderstandings and longing on both sides. Molly acts as mediator, balancing her own aims with the needs of the family. Tensions ease through honesty, humor, and shared meals that reinforce belonging. The finale suggests forgiveness and renewed trust can emerge from chaos.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:00

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Molly and Me Summary

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Molly and Me Timeline

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