Rings on Her Fingers (1942) Plot Summary Explained

Susan agrees to impersonate Linda Worthington because she dreams of escaping her mundane life as a girdle salesgirl and experiencing the luxury lifestyle of the wealthy. When the con artists notice her resemblance to their missing partner, they offer her an opportunity to wear expensive clothes and attend high-society events she could never afford on her salary.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Susan is shown watching wealthy customers from behind the counter, clearly longing for a different life.

• susan miller
• linda worthington
• impersonation
• con scheme
• motivation

Mother Worthington and Warren pose as a wealthy mother and uncle, using a young woman to impersonate their daughter Linda at social events. Linda's charm attracts marriageable wealthy men, and the trio then swindles these men out of money through elaborate ruses. They travel from place to place, targeting rich men at upscale events and draining them financially.

Foreshadowing: The scene where they first approach Susan reveals they have used this exact method before, with the 'daughter' having run off to get married.

• con artists
• worthington
• swindle
• scheme
• wealthy men

Susan falls for John Wheeler because he is genuine and sincere, unlike the wealthy targets she usually encounters. Though she initially believes he is a millionaire planning to buy a yacht, his honest nature and genuine affection for her make her develop real feelings, which complicates the entire con operation.

Foreshadowing: The film sets up early that Susan is drawn to the idea of wealth, but John's authenticity contrasts with the superficial wealthy men she has encountered.

• susan
• john wheeler
• love
• romance
• feelings

No, John Wheeler is not a millionaire. He is an accountant who has painstakingly saved $15,000 from his modest income to buy a yacht. The Worthingtons mistakenly believe he is wealthy based on his conversation about purchasing a yacht, when in reality he has sacrificed greatly to save that amount.

Foreshadowing: The con artists assume anyone discussing a $15,000 purchase must be rich, not considering someone who saved diligently for that specific goal.

• john wheeler
• millionaire
• accountant
• money
• yacht
• $15
• 000

The con fails because Susan's genuine feelings for John make it impossible for her to continue the deception. Her love for him creates a moral and emotional conflict that undermines the entire scheme, forcing the trio to abandon or significantly alter their plans.

Foreshadowing: As Susan spends more time with John, she begins to hesitate at key moments in the con, showing her growing attachment.

• con fails
• love
• deception
• emotional conflict
• betrayal

The film ends with an uncertain future for Susan and John. Their relationship is complicated by the lies Susan has been living, and the consequences of the deception create obstacles to their happiness. The resolution involves confronting the truth of the con while trying to build a genuine relationship.

Foreshadowing: The story builds toward this confrontation throughout the second half as the risk of exposure grows.

• ending
• resolution
• uncertain future
• love
• truth

The con artists choose Susan because she physically resembles their actual partner Linda Worthington, who ran away to get married. This resemblance allows them to maintain their con operation without raising suspicion at their upcoming party, where they need a woman playing Linda's role.

Foreshadowing: Warren reports that the real Linda has left them, creating the immediate need for a replacement.

• susan
• linda worthington
• look alike
• impersonation
• physical resemblance

After joining the Worthingtons, Susan transforms from a poor girdle salesgirl into Linda Worthington, a wealthy heiress attending high-society events. She travels with Mother Worthington and Uncle Warren, living a life of luxury and wearing expensive clothes, though all of it is built on deception.

Foreshadowing: The initial party scene shows Susan experiencing luxury for the first time, establishing how dramatically her life changes.

• lifestyle
• luxury
• wealthy
• transformation
• social class