Nice Girl?

Nice Girl?

Year: 1941

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: William A. Seiter

MusicDramaComedy

Jane, known as the nice girl, has long admired a young man whose passion for his hand‑built car leaves little room for romance. When an associate of her father's arrives in town en route to study Australian Aboriginal tribes, Jane decides to abandon her wholesome image and pursue a more daring path, stirring gossip and complicating her romantic dilemma.

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Timeline & Setting – Nice Girl? (1941)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Nice Girl? (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 during wartime, the story unfolds in a period marked by national service and mobilization. The Fourth of July celebration and the Red Cross benefit anchor the events in a home-front atmosphere, while Don’s enlistment places personal stakes in the ongoing conflict. The era’s music and showmanship frame the plot as a blend of romance and civic duty.

Location

Dana household, New York

Centered on the Dana household, the residence serves as a bustling, bookish home where a professor scientist and his daughters live with a lively maid. The house is a hub of song, letters, and neighborhood chatter, with the postman delivering mail and the rabbit diet experiments taking place nearby. Its warmth and chaos mirror the family’s foibles and the community’s gossip that drive the plot.

🏠 Domestic 🎭 Family comedy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:43

Main Characters – Nice Girl? (1941)

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

Jane 'Pinky' Dana (Deanna Durbin)

The middle sister known as the 'nice girl,' Jane sings and cares for rabbits while navigating pressure to uphold a demure image. Her journey from constraint to self-assertion drives the central romance plot, culminating in a public display that exposes her true feelings. She is witty, musical, and curious about stepping beyond social conventions.

🎭 Drama 💃 Romance 🕊️ Social norms

Don Webb (Robert Stack)

Jane's boyfriend and a car enthusiast who enlists in the army, reflecting the era's call to service. He is affectionate but susceptible to insecurity when facing Jane's shifting loyalties and rumors. His feelings for Jane propel the triangle toward resolution as duty competes with romance.

💖 Romance 🪖 Wartime 🚗 Car culture

Oliver Dana (Robert Benchley)

Professor Dana, the head of the household, is a disciplined, bookish father trying to finish a diet book tested on rabbits. He serves as a steady, slightly oblivious anchor, juggling family drama with scientific aspirations. His reactions to the romantic chaos reveal a warm, indulgent parental figure.

🎭 Drama 🧪 Science 👨‍👧 Family

Richard Calvert (Franchot Tone)

The sophisticated visitor who captures the interest of Jane and her sisters. His presence triggers a performance of engagement that spirals into rumors and misreads. He represents charm and calculated social maneuvering within the story.

🎭 Drama 💘 Romance

Cora Foster (Helen Broderick)

The Dana family's maid, beloved by Hector, who embodies quiet devotion and warmth. She provides emotional balance amid the chaos and represents steady, loyal affection in a playful, flirtatious environment.

💖 Romance 🏠 Domestic life

Hector Titus (Walter Brennan)

The busybody postman who loves Cora and reads everybody's mail, adding humor and a touch of social gossip. His well-meaning meddling amplifies misunderstandings and unintentional consequences within the family circle.

😂 Comedy 💌 Mail 🗣️ Gossip

Martha Peasley (Elisabeth Risdon)

The older sister's motherly presence and the supportive matriarchal figure within the Dana household. She anchors family dynamics with steady guidance amid romantic pratfalls.

🎭 Drama 👩‍👧 Family

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:43

Major Themes – Nice Girl? (1941)

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

💖 Romance

Romantic entanglements drive the plot as Jane experiments with her persona, balancing affection with social expectations. The story highlights how love can complicate reputations and how characters manipulate appearances to win affection. The tension between sincerity and performed roles reveals inner desires.

🎭 Identity

The film plays with public persona versus private self, as characters adopt or shed roles (Jane as the 'nice girl') to influence others. Rumors and misunderstandings showcase how identity is sculpted by those around them. The comedic backdrop allows characters to explore authenticity amid social pressures.

🇺🇸 Patriotism

Don and the family participate in wartime morale-building activities, including the Red Cross benefit and the Army base performance. The plot uses patriotic imagery and songs to frame personal decisions within a larger national context. The era's sense of duty influences relationships and choices.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:43

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Nice Girl? Summary

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Nice Girl? Summary

Nice Girl? Timeline

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Nice Girl? Timeline

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