Moon Over Miami

Moon Over Miami

Year: 1941

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Walter Lang

ComedyRomanceMusic

Two Texas waitresses and sisters, Kay and Barbara Latimer, lose most of an inheritance to taxes. With money from their aunt Susan, they travel to a famous Miami resort hoping to marry rich men. There they encounter wealthy youngsters Phil and Jeff, sparking a rivalry for Kay while Barbara falls for one of them.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Moon Over Miami (1941)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Moon Over Miami (1941). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1940s

Set in the early 1940s, the film captures pre-war American leisure culture. It follows socialites and working girls as they navigate money, status, and romance during resort-season escapades. Musical numbers and the hotel milieu reflect the period’s fashion and stage traditions.

Location

Texas drive-in restaurant, Flamingo Hotel, Miami

From a busy Texas drive-in, the action moves to the glamorous Flamingo Hotel in Miami. The resort town provides a sun-drenched backdrop for disguises, dances, and matchmaking. The hotel’s opulent party circuit becomes the playground where money and romance intertwine in lighthearted, musical comedy fashion.

🏖️ Miami setting 💰 Wealth and romance 🎭 Romantic comedy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:48

Main Characters – Moon Over Miami (1941)

Meet the key characters of Moon Over Miami (1941), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kay Latimer (Betty Grable)

A quick-witted social climber who enlists her sister and aunt in a plan to marry well after learning her inheritance is smaller than expected. She leads the Miami trip and disguises herself in pursuit of romance, balancing deception with genuine feeling. She ultimately falls for Phil O'Neil while navigating the consequences of her schemes.

💃 Social climb ❤️ Romance 😂 Comedy

Barbara Latimer (Carole Landis)

Kay's sister who becomes a partner in the scheme and falls for Jeff. She helps by posing as Kay's secretary while Aunt Sue plays the maid, creating a tangled web of deception. Her own romance with Jeff develops alongside Kay's, highlighting loyalty amid flirtation.

💃 Romantic foil ❤️ Love 😂 Comedy

Aunt Susan Latimer (Charlotte Greenwood)

The Latimer household cook who orchestrates the ruse and accompanies the trio to Miami. She keeps the plan moving with good humor and maternal intuition, providing a steadying presence amid the chaos. Her role blurs lines between authority and comedy as romance blooms.

🧑‍🍳 Family matriarch 😂 Comedy 🏖️ Resort life

Jack O'Hara (Jack Haley)

A bartender who professes hatred of fortune-hunters but quickly becomes entangled with Susan and the scheme. He overhears the women discussing their plan and uses it as leverage in a bid to win Susan's heart. He eventually acts as a wildcard that tests the couples' feelings.

🕺 Bar culture 💘 Love 🎭 Comedy

Jeffrey 'Jeff' Boulton II (Robert Cummings)

Heir to the O'Neil Mines and a rival in love with Kay, Jeff brings wealth and charm to the romance. He pursues Kay at the party, while Barbara falls for his friend Jeff. His wealth and business burden the relationship until the truth about love prevails.

💼 Wealth ❤️ Rivalry 🎭 Comedy

Phil O'Neil (Don Ameche)

Heir to the O'Neil Mines who is secretly broke, yet generous and earnest. He falls for Kay and volunteers to be Jeff's best man, revealing a crucial switch from fortune-hunter to sincere partner. His honesty and humor help Kay learn what truly matters in love.

💰 Wealth vs. honesty 💘 Romance 🕺 Comedy

Mr. Pretto (Fortunio Bonanova)

Hotel manager of the Flamingo who oversees the resort's social machinery. He maintains order during the lavish parties and ensures the masquerade of romance proceeds. His presence anchors the setting's glamorous, melodious mood.

🏨 Hotel life 🎭 Comedy 🧭 Authority

Brearley (Robert Greig)

Boulton's loyal butler who represents the accommodating staff of the resort. His interactions add a touch of class-conscious humor to the misadventures. He stays in the background as the plot unfolds.

🎭 Servant role 😂 Comedy 🧹 Household

Mr. Jim Reynolds (Minor Watson)

A background adult character who operates within the hotel and social scene. He serves as a steady presence amid the romantic chaos. His role cements the film's depiction of mid-century service class life.

👔 Supporting role 🕺 Social scene 😂 Comedy

William 'Willie' Boulton (George Lessey)

Jeff's father, a businessman who embodies the old-money, risk-averse generation. He looms over the island party and shapes the stakes of the men competing for Kay's hand. His approval or disapproval drives tension in the plot.

👔 Father figure 💼 Business 🎭 Drama

Connie Fentress (Cobina Wright)

A supporting character who rounds out the resort crowd with her own social ambitions. She adds extra color to the Miami party circuit and helps move the story toward its upbeat, communal ending.

💃 Socialite 🧩 Comedy 🎶 Musical

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:48

Major Themes – Moon Over Miami (1941)

Explore the central themes of Moon Over Miami (1941), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Romance

The plot centers on Kay's pursuit of a wealthy match and Jeff's genuine affection, testing the line between love and financial security. Barbara and Aunt Sue stage elaborate ruses to attract suitors, showing how appearances and deception influence relationships. In the end, true feelings prevail as couples decide whom to marry, reaffirming romance as the heart of the story.

💰 Wealth and Marriage

A windfall and an inflated inheritance set the central tension, as the trio pursues security through marriage. The revelation that Phil's mines won't be profitable for years adds pressure and forces a reevaluation of who deserves love. The narrative uses money as both lure and obstacle, resolving when affection outweighs fortune.

🗝️ Deception and Identity

Kay, Barbara, and Aunt Sue assume false roles to lure wealthy suitors, turning appearances into a game of wit and risk. Jack's reaction and the near-exposure amplify the comedy of errors and social disguises. The story ultimately reveals that hidden identities matter less than genuine bonds.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:48

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Moon Over Miami Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Moon Over Miami, 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.

Moon Over Miami Summary

Moon Over Miami Timeline

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Moon Over Miami Timeline

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