That Certain Feeling (1956) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

In the glittering world of mid‑century Manhattan, the bustling offices of a famous newspaper syndicate provide a chic backdrop for a story that mixes the polished veneer of celebrity with the messy reality behind the laughter. The city’s high‑rise apartments, bustling cafés, and glossy television studios all pulse with a rhythm that feels simultaneously elegant and slightly frantic, setting the stage for a comedy of professional ambition and personal rediscovery.

Larry Larkin is a veteran cartoonist whose beloved boy‑and‑dog strip has begun to lose its sparkle, prompting him to seek fresh material before his reputation dulls. To revive the humor, he enlists Francis X. Dignan, a sharp‑tongued ghost‑writer whose previous successes hint at a genius for cracking jokes on demand. Their collaboration promises a lively exchange of wit, yet it also introduces an undercurrent of tension, as Dignan brings his own quirks and insecurities to the partnership.

Dunreath Henry—the poised private secretary who also happens to be Larkin’s fiancée—carries a concealed past that intertwines with Dignan’s. Formerly known as Ethel Jankowski and once married to the cartoonist, she now navigates the polished corridors of power while harboring memories that could upend the neat arrangement of her present life. The professional alliance between Larkin and Dignan therefore becomes a delicate balancing act, with Dunreath at its emotional center, hinting at a tangled web of old affection and new obligations.

The film’s tone is buoyant and fast‑paced, laced with rapid‑fire jokes and the whimsical spirit of a comic strip come to life. It captures the clash between the glossy façade of fame and the genuine, sometimes chaotic, human connections that lie beneath. As deadlines loom and punchlines are crafted, the characters find themselves drawn into a charmingly unpredictable dance where ambition, romance, and humor collide.