Neptune’s Daughter

Neptune’s Daughter

Year: 1949

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Edward Buzzell

MusicComedyRomance

Betty Barrett, a scatterbrained socialite, mistakes masseur Jack Spratt for José O’Rourke, captain of a South‑American polo team. Jack goes along with the charade, and their deception deepens as they fall in love. Betty’s pragmatic sister Eve, fearing heartbreak, arranges a meeting with the real O’Rourke, and soon finds romance herself amid songs, spectacle and bathing beauties.

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Timeline & Setting – Neptune’s Daughter (1949)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Neptune’s Daughter (1949). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1949

The story unfolds in the late 1940s Hollywood musical scene, a period known for Technicolor spectacles and lighthearted romances. It blends fashion, poolside numbers, and glamorous escapades within the studio-era sensibility. The era’s optimism and glossy production style frame the nightlife and matchmaking around a polo event.

Location

Neptune, Neptune Bathing Suit Factory

Neptune serves as a sunny showbiz hub built around a glamorous bathing suit factory and its poolside world. The Neptune factory and its surroundings provide the backdrop for fashion shows, romance, and publicity stunts. The town's leisure-and-showbiz vibe becomes the stage for the polo spectacle and the romantic entanglements that unfold.

🏖️ Beach town 🏭 Factory setting 🎪 Showbiz enclave

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:48

Main Characters – Neptune’s Daughter (1949)

Meet the key characters of Neptune’s Daughter (1949), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Eve Barrett (Esther Williams)

An aquatic ballet dancer and Neptune swimsuit company figure who balances glamour with practicality. She protects her sister, navigates romantic temptation, and ultimately embraces a union with Jose while managing the publicity-driven world around her.

💃 Dancer 💖 Romantic lead

Joe Backett (Keenan Wynn)

The business-minded partner behind the Neptune design operation. He sees the polo spectacle as publicity gold and orchestrates partnership and events to boost the brand, while navigating his own feelings.

💼 Businessman 💡 Strategist

Jose O'Rourke (Ricardo Montalban)

Handsomer polo captain and playboy whose aristocratic charm draws Eve's interest. He pursues Eve, engaging in romance while also getting entangled in the schemes surrounding the polo visit.

🏆 Polo star 💘 Romantic lead

Jack Spratt (Red Skelton)

A bumbling masseur who becomes entangled in deception when mistaken for Jose. His faux-Spanish flirtations and escape from captors drive most of the comic misunderstandings and eventual reconciliation.

🎭 Comedic impersonator 😂 Schemer

Betty Barrett (Betty Garrett)

Eve's sister and a social-climber who treats polo players as date prospects. She becomes engaged to Jose, adds to the romantic complications, and ultimately shares in the double wedding.

💋 Socialite 💘 Romantic foil

Lukie Luzette (Ted de Corsia)

Crooked nightclub owner betting on the match who orders Jose's kidnapping to derail the game. His scheme backfires when a mix-up leads to Jack's abduction instead, triggering the finale's chaos.

🕶️ Crooked plan 💰 Gambler

Pancho (Mel Blanc)

A member of the visiting polo entourage providing light comic moments and supporting the polo spectacle as part of the team.

🎺 Sidekick 🐎 Polo vibe

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:48

Major Themes – Neptune’s Daughter (1949)

Explore the central themes of Neptune’s Daughter (1949), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💖 Romance

Love drives the plot as Eve and Jose are drawn to each other while Betty pursues romance of her own. The tangled affections, miscommunications, and eventual understandings give the story its warmth. The romance resolves in a double wedding that ties the couples together.

🎭 Mistaken Identity

Jack Spratt is mistaken for Jose during a date, leading to a cascade of deceptions. The impersonation fuels comic misunderstandings and strains relationships, particularly with Eve and Betty. The truth eventually comes to light and forgiveness follows.

🏇 Sport & Spectacle

A South American polo match anchors the plot and provides the main spectacle. The betting hustle around the match adds tension and danger to the romantic capers. The event doubles as a stage for glamour, humor, and resolution.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:48

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Neptune’s Daughter Summary

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Neptune’s Daughter Summary

Neptune’s Daughter Timeline

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Neptune’s Daughter Timeline

More About Neptune’s Daughter

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Neptune’s Daughter (1949) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Neptune’s Daughter (1949) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Neptune’s Daughter (1949) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow