That Night in Rio

That Night in Rio

Year: 1941

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Irving Cummings

MusicRomanceComedy

Set against a vibrant Rio backdrop, the story follows a lively entertainer who assumes the identity of a wealthy aristocrat for a night of music and celebration. When the aristocrat’s wife urges him to maintain the charade, his deception spirals into comic complications and unforeseen entanglements.

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Timeline & Setting – That Night in Rio (1941)

Explore the full timeline and setting of That Night in Rio (1941). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Rio de Janeiro serves as the film's glittering backdrop, centered on the Casino Samba where Larry performs. The city’s lively nightlife, beaches, and colorful culture provide a lively stage for musical romance. Buenos Aires appears as a key destination for the Baron’s money troubles, highlighting the cross-continent glamour and financial stakes that drive the plot.

🎉 Nightlife 🏖️ Beach Culture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:48

Main Characters – That Night in Rio (1941)

Meet the key characters of That Night in Rio (1941), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Larry Martin (Don Ameche)

An American entertainer who doubles as a master of disguise, using an impersonation of the Baron to entertain and manipulate situations. He is quick-witted, charming, and often reckless, blurring the line between performance and reality. His schemes drive much of the plot but also reveal a capacity for growth as events unfold.

🎭 Charismatic 🕺 Showman 🎤 Performer

Baron Manuel Duarte (Don Ameche)

A flamboyant airline baron who faces financial trouble after a critical deal; his need for funds sets the plot in motion. He is proud and quick to suspect betrayal, adding tension to the evenings’ social games. His impersonation by Larry creates the central comic chaos of the story.

💼 Wealth 🕴️ Elite 🎩 Aristocrat

Baroness Cecilia Duarte (Alice Faye)

A talented singer and elegant socialite who admires Cecilia’s own artistry and beauty, and is drawn into the evening’s romantic entanglements. She navigates flirtation and loyalty with wit, eventually resolving the misunderstandings with charm. Her presence anchors the film’s musical and romantic threads.

🎤 Singer 💃 Socialite

Carmen (Carmen Miranda)

Larry's girlfriend and a lively performer who reacts strongly to the Baron’s impersonation. She confronts the deception with energy and passion, adding humor and fuel to the plot’s reversals. Her presence heightens the stakes of loyalty and love.

🎶 Musician 💃 Fiery

Machado (J. Carrol Naish)

A rival stock broker who uses cunning to outmaneuver the Baron; he exploits the situation and even speaks French in his confrontation with Larry. He embodies the scheming force behind the financial maneuvering that drives the climax. His actions intensify the film’s themes of deception and control.

💼 Rival 🗣️ Schemer

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:48

Major Themes – That Night in Rio (1941)

Explore the central themes of That Night in Rio (1941), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Identity

Identity is played with as characters swap roles and personas, blurring the line between performer and real person. Larry’s impersonation of the Baron triggers a cascade of misunderstandings and comic chaos. The tension between appearance and reality fuels the film’s humor and romantic entanglements.

💘 Romance

Romance unfolds within a volatile mix of flirtation and deception as Cecilia is drawn to Larry while the Baron remains oblivious. The love triangle exposes vanity, loyalty, and the fragility of trust, then resolves through playful reversal. The film uses wit and music to temper the tensions of attraction.

💰 Wealth

Money and power drive the plot: the Baron’s airline stake and stock-market maneuvering become catalysts for deception and schemes. Wealth creates a social arena where appearances can be bought and fortunes changed with a deal. The cross-border setting highlights how status can complicate relationships and decisions.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:48

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That Night in Rio Summary

Read a complete plot summary of That Night in Rio, 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.

That Night in Rio Summary

That Night in Rio Timeline

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That Night in Rio Timeline

More About That Night in Rio

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More About That Night in Rio