Private Detective

Private Detective

Year: 1939

Runtime: 55 mins

Language: English

Director: Noel M. Smith

Mystery

An irreverent female private eye partners with a straight‑laced police detective to unravel the puzzling murder of a reclusive millionaire, mixing clever sleuthing with nonstop slapstick humor. Their unlikely alliance sparks a riotous mystery adventure that keeps the laughs coming.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Private Detective yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Private Detective (1939)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Private Detective (1939). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Nation-Wide Detective Agency, Millard Lannon's home, Police station, Hotel, Nat Flavin's beach house, Donald Norton’s home, Mona Lannon's home, Courtroom

The story unfolds across a network of urban and private spaces: the Nation-Wide Detective Agency serves as the investigative hub, Millard Lannon's opulent home becomes a scene of tension and motive, and the police station anchors the pursuit of truth. A hotel hideout and Nat Flavin's beach house provide crucial turning points, while Donald Norton’s and Mona Lannon’s residences frame the personal stakes. A courtroom and surrounding offices host the legal drama that drives the custody battle and its dramatic resolution.

🏢 Detective HQ 🏛️ Courtroom 🏖️ Beach house 🏠 Private residence 🏨 Hotel

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:37

Main Characters – Private Detective (1939)

Meet the key characters of Private Detective (1939), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mona Lannon (Gloria Dickson)

Ex-wife of Millard Lannon and mother to his child, Mona becomes entangled in the custody conflict and is suspected after Millard's murder. She lies about her involvement at times, yet remains fiercely protective of her son and willing to take risks to survive. Her actions reveal a pragmatic, resourceful survival instinct amid a maze of lies and accusations.

💔 Ex-wife 🕵️‍♀️ Accused 🤝 Protective

Myrna Winslow (Jane Wyman)

Employee at the Nation-Wide Detective Agency who resigns rather than testify against Mona. She later marries Jim Rickey and becomes a crucial ally, assisting Mona and Donald as she uncovers Nat Flavin's guilt. Her integrity and courage drive the investigation forward and test her loyalty to lovers and colleagues alike.

💼 Investigator 🕊️ Loyal 🚨 Courageous

Millard Lannon (John Eldredge)

A wealthy, controlling husband involved in a contentious custody battle whose murder triggers the central crime. His demand for police protection foreshadows the danger surrounding Mona and his son, and his execution of the plan indirectly spurs the investigation and subsequent pursuit of the true killer.

💼 Wealthy 🕵️‍♂️ Catalyst 🗂️ Powerful

Nat Flavin (Morgan Conway)

The antagonist who orchestrates the scheme to seize Mona's son's trust fund and appoint himself as her guardian. He murders Millard to silence opposition and attempts to frame Mona, using wit and manipulation to stay one step ahead of the detectives.

🧠 Schemer 💰 Greedy 🥊 Dangerous

Jim Rickey (Dick Foran)

A police lieutenant and Mona’s fiancé who supports Myrna's investigation. He pursues the truth with determination and forms part of the team that rescues Myrna and captures Nat, balancing personal loyalty with professional duty.

👮🏻‍♂️ Lawman 💪 Loyal 🔎 Investigator

Donald Norton (John Ridgely)

Mona's intended husband and a central figure in the custody dispute. He becomes a suspect in Millard's murder but collaborates with Myrna and Mona to uncover the real killer and clear his name while defending his future with Mona.

👨‍⚖️ Suspect 🤝 Ally 🕊️ Protective

Brody (Maxie Rosenbloom)

Detective Agency employee and Jim’s assistant who joins the investigation. Brody provides practical support, helps piece together clues, and stays loyal to the mission of uncovering the truth.

🧭 Support 🕵️‍♂️ Loyal 🛠️ Practical

Chick Jerome (Dick Rich)

Nat Flavin’s chauffeur and partner in crime, involved in the darker side of Nat’s schemes. He assists in the attempted poisoning of Mona and Donald, representing the dangerous reach of the conspirators.

🚗 Henchman 🗡️ Violent 🧩 Accomplice

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:37

Major Themes – Private Detective (1939)

Explore the central themes of Private Detective (1939), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔎 Investigation

The plot centers on unraveling who killed Millard Lannon and why, with Myrna and Brody playing key roles in gathering evidence. The investigation uncovers lies, guardianship schemes, and shifting loyalties as clues surface in hotel rooms, offices, and the detective agency. The characters must decide what truth is worth risking their careers and relationships for.

💰 Greed

Nat Flavin's drive to control Mona's son's trust fund motivates much of the conflict, including his self-appointed guardianship and the attempt to manipulate the legal outcome. The pursuit of wealth corrupts motives, enabling murder and deception to mask financial gain. The theme shows how money can distort justice and personal loyalties.

⚖️ Justice

The custody dispute and murder investigation frame a battle over who is rightful guardian and who should be blamed. The characters navigate legal traps, courtroom tension, and police procedures as they strive to expose the truth. The resolution hinges on who can present credible evidence and outsmart a cunning schemer.

🕊️ Loyalty

Myrna's choices test loyalties between personal relationships and professional duties, especially as she aids Mona and Donald despite potential personal risk. The narrative explores whether loyalty to a friend or to justice should prevail in a web of accusations. The resolution reinforces that trust and steadfastness can alter a deadly course.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:37

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Private Detective

Don't stop at just watching — explore Private Detective in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Private Detective is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Private Detective Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Private Detective, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Private Detective Summary

Private Detective Timeline

Track the full timeline of Private Detective with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Private Detective Timeline

More About Private Detective

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Private Detective: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Private Detective

Similar Movies to Private Detective

Discover movies like Private Detective that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.