Pretty Baby

Pretty Baby

Year: 1950

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: Bretaigne Windust

Comedy

Here’s “Pretty Baby!” A young woman living in Manhattan pretends to be the mother of an infant in order to get a seat on the subway.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Pretty Baby (1950)

Trace every key event in Pretty Baby (1950) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Patsy fakes a baby to snag a seat on the subway

Patsy Douglas comes up with an ingenious ruse to secure a seat on the crowded New York subway by pretending to have a baby. She uses a doll discarded by the advertising agency where she works and presents herself as a harried mother. The ruse succeeds, and she finds herself comfortably settled as the carriage fills with amused onlookers.

opening scene, early in the day New York subway
2

Cyrus Baxter overhears Patsy's ruse and takes interest

Nearby, Baxter overhears that the baby is named Cyrus after him and is amused by the coincidence. He quickly takes an interest in Patsy and subtly encourages the ruse. He lets her believe he works for Baxter as a watchman, deepening the illusion around her deception.

shortly after the initial encounter New York subway car
3

Baxter befriends Patsy and they form a strange rapport

Their initial interaction on the subway evolves into a budding, if unconventional, rapport. Patsy enjoys the attention and the way the ruse smoothes her day-to-day needs. Baxter, for his part, continues to play along as the 'watchman' while learning more about her situation.

within days of their first meeting New York subway car
4

Agency bosses push to sign Baxter and discover Patsy was fired

Morley and Holmes hustle to present Baxter with a new campaign contract, insisting Patsy must stay happy as part of the plan. They discover Patsy was fired from her secretarial duties, and they quickly hire her back and promote her to a higher role. The arrangement ties Patsy to the campaign and Baxter's goodwill.

soon after Baxter's involvement Advertising agency offices
5

Morley suspects Patsy is Baxter's mistress

Morley sees Patsy and Baxter together and immediately assumes she is Baxter's mistress. Patsy continues to maintain the façade, hoping to protect the contract and her position. The misunderstanding tightens the agency's grip on the deception and complicates loyalties.

after their close encounters Agency offices
6

Patsy learns Baxter's true identity

Patsy is sent to present the latest idea and realizes the man she befriended is the real Cyrus Baxter. The discovery makes the ruse riskier, forcing her to navigate the truth while maintaining the performance. Baxter's proximity now feels both helpful and potentially dangerous to the scheme.

as part of the next assignment Advertising agency / presentation venue
7

Baxter's temper improves under Patsy's influence

Despite the masquerade, Baxter's temper gradually improves under Patsy's influence, revealing a warmer side behind his brash exterior. Patsy sees progress that reinforces the value of the ongoing deception for their professional ties. The change deepens their dynamics and raises the stakes of the lie.

after Patsy becomes involved Baxter's office
8

The truth about the baby remains hidden to protect the contract

When Morley and Holmes finally learn the truth, Patsy wants to confess to Baxter, but their insistence on maintaining the masquerade persists to secure his contract. Patsy agrees to continue the ruse rather than risk hundreds of jobs. The ethical tension between honesty and livelihood drives the plot forward.

after the revelation Agency offices
9

Photo reveal triggers jealousy and a dating plan

Morley shows Baxter a photograph of the baby, which is actually a picture of his partner as a child, triggering a suspicion that the baby might be the child of Holmes. Baxter suspects Holmes is the father, prompting Morley to arrange for Holmes to start dating Patsy. Jealousy and romantic confusion begin to complicate the professional scheme.

after the baby is 'revealed' in the campaign Morley's office or a presentation setting
10

Patsy resolves to raise the baby alone and quits

Overwhelmed by the escalating farce, Patsy tells Baxter she will raise her son on her own and decides to quit the agency as well. Baxter, frustrated by the ruse, hires private investigator Corcoran to locate her. Morley confirms there is no child and admits his own feelings for Patsy.

after the no-child discovery Agency / Patsy's location
11

No child confirmed; Morley confesses love

Private investigator Corcoran confirms there is no baby, clearing Patsy's conscience but ending the ruse. Morley then admits he is in love with Patsy, complicating the workplace dynamics. Baxter, buoyed by the revelation, resolves to pursue Patsy with renewed determination.

immediately after Corcoran's report Office and Corcoran's findings
12

Subway confrontation leads to City Hall wedding plan

Baxter insists he will chase Patsy, and Morley catches her on a subway train. He persuades her to get off at the City Hall stop to marry, setting up the final resolution. Patsy, facing a real future with Baxter, agrees to move forward with the plan.

final moment of the story Subway car, City Hall stop

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:06

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Pretty Baby Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Pretty Baby

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