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 – Private Detective (1939)

Trace every key event in Private Detective (1939) 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

Millard Lannon sues Mona for custody

Millard Lannon sues Mona Lannon for custody of their son in a tense, high-stakes move. The filing centers on Millard's attempt to control access to the child's trust fund and Mona's role in their fragile family dynamic. The custody fight sets the legal stakes for the looming conflict between the ex-spouses.

Millard Lannon's home
2

Detective agency pressures Myrna to testify

The owner of the Nation-Wide Detective Agency pressures Myrna Winslow to testify against Mona. The tactic is meant to undermine Mona's defense and tilt the case in Millard's favor. Myrna weighs the order against her sense of justice and personal loyalties.

Nation-Wide Detective Agency
3

Myrna quits and marries Jim

Myrna declines to testify, quitting the agency. She soon marries her police lieutenant boyfriend, Jim Rickey, signaling a personal turning point amid the family dispute. The move aligns her with law enforcement in the unfolding saga.

Myrna's home
4

Myrna overhears a murderous scheme

Myrna overhears a call in which Millard demands police protection because Mona has threatened his life. The exchange hints at a calculated plot led by Nat Flavin to remove Millard as an obstacle. This overheard moment foreshadows the murder that follows.

5

Millard is murdered

Millard Lannon is shot dead in his own home. A neighbor reports Mona leaving the house just as the gunfire is heard, making Mona a person of interest. The murder kicks off a new phase of the investigation.

Millard Lannon's home
6

Myrna and detectives locate Mona

Myrna accompanies Jim and Brody to investigate the crime. They locate Mona hiding in a hotel, and Myrna informs her that the police suspect her fiancé Donald Norton. Mona lies about the killing, and Myrna chooses to help Mona escape instead of turning her in.

Hotel
7

Nat pressures Donald Norton

Nat Flavin tries to persuade Donald Norton to turn Mona in, while offering to defend Mona as her lawyer. The maneuver reveals Nat's growing influence over the defense strategy. The tension between the conspirators deepens.

Donald's home
8

Confrontation with Donald; he escapes

Jim and Brody go to Donald's home and confront him, but Donald escapes the confrontation. The escape raises the stakes as the investigation widens. The case grows messier as more players become involved.

Donald's home
9

Myrna unveils Nat's guardianship plan

Myrna decides to help Mona and Donald and intensifies her own inquiry. She questions Nat the next morning and learns that Nat has appointed himself guardian of Mona's son. This revelation exposes Nat's motive to control the child's inheritance.

Nat Flavin's office
10

Jim disapproves of Myrna's interference

Jim expresses clear displeasure with Myrna's interference in the case. He warns that her involvement could jeopardize the defense. Myrna remains determined to uncover the truth regardless of his objections.

Police station
11

Myrna uncovers Nat's guilt and reports it

Myrna finds evidence supporting Nat Flavin's guilt in his office. She writes a report stating that Nat killed Millard and framed Mona to gain access to the boy's trust fund. The document becomes a pivotal weapon in building the case against Nat.

Nat Flavin's office
12

Abduction, hires, and rescue

Nat arrives at the office, knocks Myrna unconscious, and takes her to his beach house. Mona and Donald arrive to pay Nat a retainer to defend them, unaware of the danger inside. Jim and Brody burst in, rescue Myrna, and capture Nat and Chick Jerome.

Nat Flavin's beach house

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:04

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Private Detective Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Private Detective

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Private Detective

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