My Dear Secretary

My Dear Secretary

Year: 1948

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Charles Martin

RomanceDramaComedy

A budding writer believes her luck has changed when she lands a job as secretary to novelist Owen Waterbury. She quickly learns he’s an erratic, immature playboy, leading to a relentless chase that ends when she finally catches him. Their opposite natures draw them together, while the plot touches on marital competitiveness and responsibility.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – My Dear Secretary (1948)

Explore the full timeline and setting of My Dear Secretary (1948). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

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Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:24

Main Characters – My Dear Secretary (1948)

Meet the key characters of My Dear Secretary (1948), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Stephanie 'Steve' Gaylord (Laraine Day)

An aspiring writer who becomes Owen Waterbury's secretary. She endures his ego and frequent secretary churn, and she ultimately asserts her own voice by publishing her manuscript. Her perseverance drives the narrative and she evolves from admirer to independent author.

💡 Ambitious 🖋️ Writer 💪 Determined

Owen Waterbury (Kirk Douglas)

A successful novelist and perpetual playboy whose ego and financial troubles fuel his volatile temper. He relies on secretaries to avoid writing, and his jealousy intensifies as Steve's career flourishes. His push for control over Steve's life eventually clashes with her own ambitions.

💼 Ego 🖊️ Writer 💔 Jealousy

Charles Harris (Rudy Vallee)

A major publisher who is drawn to Steve and believes in her potential. He reads both manuscripts and recognizes Steve's talent as a serious candidate for publication, while Owen's work is deemed ordinary. Harris becomes a catalyst for Steve's literary breakthrough and a potential romantic interest.

💼 Publisher 💘 Romance 📚 Publication

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:24

Major Themes – My Dear Secretary (1948)

Explore the central themes of My Dear Secretary (1948), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🖋️ Authorship

The film centers on Steve's transformation from secretary to published author, validating her voice. Her manuscripts attract a major publisher, showing that talent can emerge from behind the scenes. The publishing process becomes a crucible for authority over one's own story. The story suggests that creative power can come from perseverance and self-belief.

💔 Marital Dynamics

Steve and Owen's marriage is tested by ego and control. Owen treats his wife as a secretary, highlighting power imbalances in their relationship. Steve's growing success challenges Owen's fragile ego, turning love into rivalry. The film uses their relationship to explore the pressures of fame within marriage.

💡 Ambition vs Ego

Owen's fame and debt drive him to cling to control and dismiss Steve's talent. Steve's ambition to publish her own work threatens Owen's status, revealing the tension between personal achievement and dependence. The turning point comes when Steve chooses to share her voice with the world, reshaping their dynamic. The ending suggests that success can redefine a relationship rather than annihilate it.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:24

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My Dear Secretary Summary

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My Dear Secretary Summary

My Dear Secretary Timeline

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My Dear Secretary Timeline

More About My Dear Secretary

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My Dear Secretary (1948) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

My Dear Secretary (1948) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

My Dear Secretary (1948) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow