Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Nothing But the Truth (1941) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Nothing But the Truth (1941) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1941 · 90 mins · English
JustWatch #10,545 2
Directed by
Elliott Nugent
Starring
Paulette Goddard, Will Wright, Grant Mitchell, Clarence Kolb, Edward Arnold, Leif Erickson

A daring wager puts a stockbroker’s integrity to the test when he bets his new partners $10,000 that he can speak only the truth for an entire twenty‑four‑hour period. As the day unfolds, his relentless honesty triggers a series of comic misunderstandings and confrontations, showing how hard it is to live by absolute truth—something even Bob Hope suggests only George Washington could answer.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (8)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (4)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Nothing But the Truth
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Nothing But the Truth (1941)

Where can you watch Nothing But the Truth? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on fuboTV, Fawesome and The CW: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

8 main characters · contains spoilers

Nothing But the Truth Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Nothing But the Truth (1941), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Steve Bennett (Bob Hope)

    A principled stockbroker who believes truth can replace deceit. He bets Gwen $10,000 that he can be completely honest for 24 hours, and his relentless candor sets off social chaos aboard the yacht. His resourcefulness and stubborn sense of integrity ultimately win the day when the clocks are revealed to be wrong.

    • 💼 Confident
    • 🗣️ Witty
    • 🧭 Principled
  • Gwen Saunders (Paulette Goddard)

    A determined, persuasive woman who must raise $20,000 for her benefactor’s charity and becomes the catalyst of the bet. She navigates social alliances with charm and resolve, though she is often mistaken for Steve’s wife due to misunderstandings sparked by others’ schemes.

    • 🎭 Ambitious
    • 💃 Persuasive
    • 🧭 Strategic
  • Tom Van Dusen (Leif Erickson)

    Gwen’s boyfriend who is part of the high-society circle. He is drawn into the glitz and tensions of the yacht party and reacts with jealousy as truths surface. His role helps magnify the personal stakes of the truth-for-a-day bet.

    • 💑 Jealous
    • 🧭 Loyal
    • 🎩 Social climber
  • T. T. Ralston (Edward Arnold)

    A ruthless financier who masterminds the scheme to push bad stocks onto clients while manipulating the bet’s rules. He embodies the corrupt business world that the protagonist challenges with honesty.

    • 💼 Boss
    • 🧠 Schemer
    • 😈 Antagonist
  • Dick Donnelly (Glenn Anders)

    Ralston’s partner and co-conspirator who helps orchestrate the deception inside the yacht’s social orbit. He thrives on manipulation and uses lies to complicate Steve’s mission.

    • 🎭 Trickster
    • 🗣️ Manipulator
    • 💼 Accomplice
  • Linda Graham (Helen Vinson)

    An exotic dancer who flirts with Steve and plays both sides of the story, claiming marriage and a child to entangle perceptions. Her actions heighten the risk of social disgrace for Steve and Gwen.

    • 💃 Seductive
    • 🧭 Opportunist
    • 💬 Provocateur
  • Mr. Bishop (Grant Mitchell)

    Head of the charity that Gwen intends to fund; he becomes a critical observer of whether the money is real and whether the bet can influence charitable giving. His presence underscores the ethical stakes of the wager.

    • 🏛️ Authority
    • 🎭 Intrigue
    • 💬 Respect
  • Mrs. Ralston (Mary Forbes)

    A sophisticated figure in Ralston’s circle who overhears conversations and adds to the social fabric of the party’s gossip. Her perspective helps reveal how reputation rides on perception.

    • 👩‍✈️ Socialite
    • 🗨️ Observer
    • 💼 Power broker

Last updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:31

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Nothing But the Truth Take Place?

The setting of Nothing But the Truth (1941): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Location

Miami, Florida

Set in Miami, Florida, the film frames a sun-soaked coastal city known for its fast money and glamorous lifestyle. Much of the action unfolds on a luxury yacht anchored near the harbor, where high-society guests mingle with financiers. The setting contrasts breezy resort vibes with cutthroat financial schemes, underscoring the clash between appearance and integrity.

  • 🌴 Coastal city
  • 💼 Finance and leisure hub
  • ⚓ Yacht setting

Last updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:31

Was this helpful?

4 major themes

Nothing But the Truth Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Nothing But the Truth (1941) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Truth vs Lies

    The central wager forces Steve to navigate a world where honesty is supposed to be punishment-free, yet candor disrupts social decorum and creates waves of offense. The film uses humor to show that truth can undermine power and prestige when spoken out of context. Ultimately, honesty reveals character and tests loyalties, rather than simply enemies.

  • Honesty and Performance

    Truth-telling becomes a performance under scrutiny, as every utterance is weighed for its social impact. The yacht’s gatherings turn truth into a tool that can flatter, shock, or ruin reputations. The characters learn that sincerity without tact can backfire, while tact without truth can be equally hollow.

  • Finance and Ethics

    The plot centers on pushy financiers pressing bad stocks on clients, exposing how wealth can corrupt judgment. The bet uses money as collateral for personal integrity, prompting reflections on trust, responsibility, and accountability in business. The outcome suggests that honor matters more than winning a wager.

  • Communication and Misunderstanding

    Misinterpretations proliferate as rumors swirl—Linda’s claim of marriage and a child inflames jealousy and scandal. The crew’s scheming manipulates perception, showing how information can be weaponized. The story demonstrates that clear, honest communication is essential to resolve conflicts and restore relationships.

Last updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:31

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Nothing But the Truth Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Nothing But the Truth (1941): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Nothing But the Truth set?

The film is set in Miami, Florida, a sun-soaked coastal city known for its fast money and glamorous lifestyle. Much of the action takes place on a luxury yacht anchored near the harbor, where high-society guests mingle with financiers.

  • miami florida setting yacht location
Q2

When does the movie take place?

The film is set in the 1940s era, reflecting the contemporary time of its 1941 release. The setting captures the glamour and financial ambition of pre-World War II America.

  • 1940s era time period 1940s setting
Q3

What are the main themes of Nothing But the Truth?

The movie explores several interconnected themes: truth versus lies as a social experiment, honesty as performance under scrutiny, finance and ethics in business dealings, and how communication breakdowns create misunderstanding. These themes交织 together through the central wager.

  • themes truth lies honesty finance ethics communication
Q4

Who is Steve Bennett in the movie?

Steve Bennett is a principled stockbroker played by Bob Hope who believes honesty can replace deceit. He makes a daring $10,000 wager that he can speak only the truth for 24 hours, and his relentless candor sets off social chaos aboard the yacht.

  • steve bennett bob hope stockbroker protagonist
Q5

Who is Gwen Saunders and what is her role?

Gwen Saunders is a determined, persuasive woman played by Paulette Goddard who needs to raise $20,000 for her benefactor's charity. She becomes the catalyst for the bet and navigates social alliances with charm and resolve throughout the film.

  • gwen saunders paulette goddard charity fundraiser
Q6

Who is T.T. Ralston in the film?

T.T. Ralston is a ruthless financier played by Edward Arnold who masterminds schemes to push bad stocks onto clients. He embodies the corrupt business world that the protagonist challenges with his commitment to absolute honesty.

  • t.t. ralston edward arnold villain financier
Q7

What is the significance of the yacht setting?

The luxury yacht serves as the primary setting where high-society guests mingle with financiers. The confined space amplifies the comedic chaos as Steve's honesty disrupts social decorum, turning the yacht into a stage where truth becomes both weapon and performance.

  • yacht setting miami harbor social setting
Q8

What is the central premise of the film?

The central premise involves a wager where stockbroker Steve Bennett bets $10,000 that he can speak only the truth for an entire 24-hour period. The experiment forces him to navigate a world where honesty should be punishment-free, yet candor disrupts social relationships and creates waves of offense.

  • wager truth bet 24 hours honesty experiment
Q9

What does the movie say about truth and honesty?

The film uses humor to show that truth can undermine power and prestige when spoken without context. Ultimately, honesty reveals character and tests loyalties rather than simply creating enemies. The comedy suggests that sincerity without tact can backfire, while tact without truth can be equally hollow.

  • message truth honesty integrity ethics comedy
Q10

How does the film address finance and ethics?

The plot exposes how pushy financiers press bad stocks on clients, showing how wealth can corrupt judgment. The bet uses money as collateral for personal integrity, prompting reflections on trust, responsibility, and accountability in business. The outcome suggests that honor matters more than winning a wager.

  • finance ethics business stocks integrity money

Movie threads

More Movies Like Nothing But the Truth, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Nothing But the Truth tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

High-Stakes Social Experiments like in Nothing But the Truth

Comedies where a bold wager or rule turns polite society upside down. If you enjoyed the witty chaos of 'Nothing But the Truth,' you'll like these movies where a bet or a social experiment creates hilarious misunderstandings. These stories feature characters testing their integrity and watching the domino effect of their actions in glamorous or high-society settings.

  • witty
  • mischievous
  • socially awkward
  • playful
  • satirical
  • high-stakes
  • Tone: witty, playful, satirical
  • Pacing: steady, comedic build
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a clear cause-and-effect structure. A protagonist accepts a challenge that forces them to behave contrary to social expectations. Each subsequent interaction becomes a comic set piece, building momentum as the initial premise creates increasingly complex and amusing complications, often involving romance and rivalries.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared premise of a structured societal disruption. They blend intellectual humor with situational comedy, maintaining a light tone while exploring themes of honesty, hypocrisy, and the fragile nature of social niceties.

Witty Romantic Comedies like Nothing But the Truth

Charming stories where sharp banter and social faux pas pave the way to romance. Fans of the charming romance and sharp dialogue in 'Nothing But the Truth' will enjoy these similar movies. This collection features witty banter, comedic misunderstandings, and romantic tension set within sophisticated social worlds, perfect for viewers who like their love stories with a side of clever humor.

  • witty
  • romantic
  • playful
  • charming
  • banter
  • sophisticated
  • Tone: light, witty, romantic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The journey typically involves two clever characters, often initially at odds, whose attraction grows through a series of humorous encounters and verbal jousting. A central comic premise or misunderstanding drives the plot, forcing the characters together and allowing their chemistry to develop naturally amidst the chaos.

Why they belong together: These movies share a specific blend of tone: the romance is significant but not overly sentimental, balanced by a dominant layer of intellectual humor and social observation. The pacing is steady, allowing for character-driven comedy and a satisfying, happy resolution.

If you liked this

Movies Like Nothing But the Truth

Similar movies to Nothing But the Truth: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Nothing But the Truth (1941) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Nothing But the Truth in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app