Sing, You Sinners

Sing, You Sinners

Year: 1938

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Wesley Ruggles

MusicComedyDramaRomance

You haven’t truly laughed until you meet the Beebes, the quirkiest family in America. The three singing brothers each have different dreams: Mike just wants to be a kid, Dave aims to run his garage and marry Martha, while Joe bets everything on swapping and gambling. Their only common ground is a musical act they all detest. When Joe stakes everything on a racehorse he’s acquired, the gamble threatens to upend the whole family.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Sing, You Sinners (1938)

Trace every key event in Sing, You Sinners (1938) 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

Joe loses his job and heads to California

Joe is fired from the local gas station after trading gas for rummage articles. He decides to go to Los Angeles to chase luck, convinced his path to success lies in gambling. His sudden unemployment pushes the Beebe family toward a new, uncertain future.

Local gas station
2

Gambling wins and a route to wealth

In Los Angeles, Joe wins money at the racetrack and uses it to buy a swap shop. He later trades the shop for a racehorse named Uncle Gus, convinced this lucky streak will continue. His success despite risk fuels hope back home.

Los Angeles
3

Family visits Joe in California

Mother Beebe and Mike travel to California to see Joe and the results of his gamble fueled plan. They are greeted by stories of success, but the family home remains precarious. The visit reveals the widening gap between Joe's dreams and the family’s needs.

California
4

David and Martha arrive; the wedding postponed

David and Martha also come to Los Angeles and are shocked by the family's poverty caused by Joe's laziness. The financial strain forces David to postpone his own wedding. Martha returns home, setting back the couple's plans.

Los Angeles
5

Mother Beebe enforces a singing career

With money running out, Mother Beebe urges the brothers to use their musical training and perform as a singing trio at a nightclub. The family shifts from gambles to steady show business to keep the household afloat. The new plan tests the brothers' relationships and resolve.

Nightclub
6

Mike becomes a jockey in a big race

Young Mike is chosen to ride in a major race as Uncle Gus trains the horse. He hopes to prove himself beyond the family gambles. The assignment adds pressure as the odds are stacked.

Race track
7

Bribe to throw the race

Harry Ringmer corrupts the thirteen-year-old Mike into losing the race. The betrayal threatens the family’s fragile financial recovery. Tension rises as the brothers realize they are being used.

Race track
8

Joe counsels Mike to win

Mike confesses the bribery to Joe, who urges him to race to win regardless of the bribe. Joe's pragmatism clashes with caution, pushing Mike toward the right choice. The siblings' bond deepens as they face the moral dilemma.

Behind the scenes at the track
9

Race win and confrontation

Mike and Uncle Gus win the race, but Ringmer and a thug confront them afterwards. A brawl erupts, but David and Mother Beebe rush to their sons, and the fight ends with Ringmer giving up. The family fights together to protect their future.

Racecourse
10

Finances improve; David contemplates quitting

The victory provides enough money to cover their debts, allowing relief but also a moment of doubt. David briefly considers quitting the singing group, but Mother Beebe insists they stay together. The brothers recommit to the steady, shared career.

Family home / nightclub
11

Telegram to Martha invites return

David sends a telegram to Martha asking her to come back to marry the four Beebe brothers. The unusual proposal reflects the commitment and unconventional family plans. Martha's potential return signals a hopeful future.

Telegram office
12

Beebe brothers continue their singing career

With renewed purpose, the three Beebe brothers continue their singing career, balancing show business with family ties. Their loyalty to one another steadies their path forward. The film closes on a note of shared dreams.

Nightclub / touring circuit

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:07

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