Sinners in the Sun

Doris Blake, Carole Lombard, works as a top model for Louis in a chic New York City dress shop. Her boyfriend Jimmie Martin, Chester Morris, is an auto mechanic. When he comes to pick her up, he talks about marriage, but she argues they both have no money. At a picnic, they quarrel again, and he breaks up with her.

Later, Doris meets the very rich, very eccentric Claire Kinkaid, Adrienne Ames, at the shop. Claire does not much care for her own lavish lifestyle. Claire asks her if she has a boyfriend; when Doris tells her they broke up, Claire tells her that a boyfriend is the only thing she wants. Jimmie is standing outside. When Doris and Claire step out, he pretends to be fixing a fancy car, which turns out to be Claire’s. When he wishes he could drive it, she invites him to do just that. Then, she offers him a job as her chauffeur. He accepts because he wants a change of scenery, far away from Doris.

Later, Jimmie drives Claire to a charity fashion show, where Doris is one of the models (though Jimmie has to leave before she goes on). Doris “borrows” a swimsuit and goes for a swim before the show. She meets Eric Nelson, Walter Byron. When he becomes too fresh and kisses her, Doris slaps him, twice, and swims away. Eric sees her modeling. At the end of the party, she meets his wife. Eric assures her they will be divorcing soon. On their way home, Claire proposes to Jimmie, and promises him a wonderful time in her 50-room mansion; he says > “Aw, I don’t want to marry anybody!”

Meanwhile, Eric gets Doris to go out with him night after night. Her father, Reginald Barlow Mr. Blake, becomes fed up with her involvement (albeit innocent) with a married man and throws her out. When Jimmie finds out Doris has been thrown out, he tells Claire he is quitting. Claire inquires if his quitting is because of the girl he cannot forget, then, again, asks him to marry her. This time, he accepts.

When Doris reads in the newspaper that Jimmie and Claire have wed and she is upset, she recalls that, previously, she had turned down jewelry from Eric; now she accepts his gifts, an apartment, and lavish spending on her. Doris also acquires an unwanted admirer, Ridgeway, Cary Grant who has grown tired of his girl, Lil, Rita La Roy. Lil confides to her friend Doris that she is in love with Ridgeway; Doris claims she will never again love a man. Lil, knowing she has lost Ridgeway, takes poison and dies.

Jimmie and Doris each in their own way live the fast life. They run into each other at a restaurant. He lashes out at her verbally and stalks out. Then, Ridgeway shows up with the news that Eric has patched things up with his wife. Ridgeway gives her a check from Eric and makes it clear he expects to take Eric’s place. Doris tells him to get out. Jimmie tells Claire he finally realizes what he is, a kept man. They part amicably.

Eric returns from Europe and finds Doris working as a dressmaker, and tells her that he has gotten a divorce. He wants to get back with her and says, > “I’ll marry you if you want me to.” Doris is not interested. Just then, Jimmie’s dog finds her. Jimmie has struck out on his own in his own business. The couple reconcile.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:44