Rich and Strange

Rich and Strange

Year: 1931

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: English

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

RomanceComedyDramaAdventureRelationship comedy

Believing that an unexpected inheritance will bring them happiness, a married couple instead finds their relationship strained to the breaking point.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Rich and Strange 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 – Rich and Strange (1931)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Rich and Strange (1931). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s

Set in the early 1930s, Rich and Strange captures a Britain negotiating wealth, leisure, and modern travel between two world wars. It reflects a moment when transcontinental trips signaled aspirational social mobility while underlying financial anxieties linger. The era's optimism about progress collides with personal risk and the fragility of marriage, especially on a voyage that promises escape.

Location

London, Paris, Marseille, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Rangoon, England

The action begins in a bustling London setting, then moves through Paris and Marseille as the couple seeks wealth and adventure. Their voyage takes them across the sea to the Orient, with stops in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Rangoon that highlight colonial-era glamour and danger. The journey circles back to England, where domestic life confronts the consequences of their travels. The settings shift from familiar urban spaces to exotic ports, framing romance and risk against a world in flux.

🏙️ London setting 🌍 Global journey 🛳️ Ocean voyage

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:05

Main Characters – Rich and Strange (1931)

Meet the key characters of Rich and Strange (1931), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Emily Hill (Joan Barry)

A practical, observant wife who longs for something beyond her mundane life. She falls for Commodore Gordon, embracing romance while trying to protect her marriage. Her loyalty to Fred surfaces when she learns the truth about his entangled lovers, and she ultimately acts to warn him. Her resilience and restraint anchor their fragile reconciliation.

💔 Love 🧭 Loyalty 🏠 Domestic life

Fred Hill (Henry Kendall)

A dissatisfied, restless husband who trades security for adventure and wealth. He pursues a glamorous ‘princess’ to secure money and status, disregarding Emily’s feelings in the process. His arrogance and stubbornness drive the couple toward heartbreak and financial peril. The voyage exposes the limits of wealth as a substitute for happiness.

💷 Wealth 😡 Pride 🧭 Restlessness

Commander Gordon (Percy Marmont)

A dapper, mature bachelor who represents romance and escape for Emily. He uses charm and attentiveness to lure her into a relationship, offering a life apart from Fred. His relationship with Emily ends when she chooses loyalty over infatuation. He embodies the temptations of glamorous, transient love.

🎩 Charm 💼 Manipulation 🕊️ Escape

The Princess (Betty Amann)

A German adventuress posing as a princess who lures Fred with glamour and money. Her manipulation underscores the dangers of wealth-seeking through dubious suitors. She disappears with Fred’s money, heightening the trio’s distrust and financial peril. She serves as a catalyst for the couple’s crisis and its eventual consequences.

👑 Adventuress 💎 Deception 🃏 Deceit

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:05

Major Themes – Rich and Strange (1931)

Explore the central themes of Rich and Strange (1931), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Marital Strain

Fred and Emily begin with a comfortable routine that quickly frays as Fred's restlessness grows. Emily seeks depth and companionship beyond domestic life, making her vulnerable to romantic attention. The couple's decisions pull them toward separate lovers and competing desires, eroding trust. The voyage tests their commitment, showing how money, romance, and fear can fracture a marriage.

💷 Wealth Temptation

Affluence promises freedom from boredom and social constraints. The German princess's manipulation shows how wealth can distort affection and judgment. Fred's pursuit of status blinds him to Emily's loyalty, and the couple discovers that money can't buy a lasting partnership.

🧭 World Travel

Journey broadens the couple's horizon but also magnifies their fault lines. Different locales reveal class dynamics and cultural curiosities, from Parisian hotspots to colonial ports. The voyage becomes a stage for romance, deceit, and the peril of modern mobility.

⚓️ Survival

A literal test of resilience arises when the tramp steamer is damaged and abandoned in fog. The couple must rely on each other again as danger forces them to confront their choices. Rescue by a Chinese junk and a return to England reframes their fortunes and moral costs. The grim twist of discovering they have eaten their own cat adds a dark note about desperation and consequence.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:05

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 Rich and Strange

Don't stop at just watching — explore Rich and Strange 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 Rich and Strange is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Rich and Strange Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Rich and Strange, 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.

Rich and Strange Summary

Rich and Strange Timeline

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

Rich and Strange Timeline

More About Rich and Strange

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Rich and Strange: 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 Rich and Strange

Explore More About Movie Rich and Strange

Rich and Strange (1931) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Rich and Strange (1931) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Rich and Strange (1931) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow