The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine

The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine

Year: 1942

Runtime: 72 mins

Language: English

Director: Bernard Vorhaus

ComedyDramaCrime

A New York radio host journeys to the quiet town of Fernville to run a contest aimed at exposing Jimmy Valentine, a retired safe‑cracker living under an alias. The proud, wary residents resent the intrusion, especially as murders begin to occur. The host teams up with the newspaper’s teenage daughter to investigate, gradually uncovering Valentine as a prime suspect.

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Timeline & Setting – The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine (1942)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine (1942). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1940s

The events unfold in the 1940s, blending live radio drama with small-town intrigue. A popular murder-mystery radio program drives the plot as the host offers a large reward for locating Jimmy Valentine. The era's appetite for sensational stories and public spectacle shapes how the town responds to the investigation.

Location

Fernville, Illinois

Fernville is a picturesque small town in Illinois that provides the quiet backdrop for a high-stakes murder-mystery hunt. The town, once peaceful and law-abiding, becomes a stage for old histories and fresh suspicions as the search unfolds. Its local newspaper and sheriff's office push the investigation forward, exposing hidden loyalties and rivalries beneath the surface. The pursuit of a legendary safecracker shakes the community's calm and tests its trust.

🌆 Small-town 🕰️ Quiet 🗝️ Secretive

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:46

Main Characters – The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine (1942)

Meet the key characters of The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine (1942), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mousey Scarlatti (George E. Stone)

A hot-headed local tough guy eager to win the reward, Mousey chases the legend of Jimmy Valentine with reckless zeal. He is the son of an infamous mobster and driven by a desire for his father's vengeance. His impulsive actions escalate the hunt and he ultimately kills himself when the truth about Pinky’s death comes to light.

🎯 Ambitious ⚡️ Impulsive 🗡️ Violent

Tom Forbes (Roman Bohnen)

Tom Forbes is revealed as Jimmy Valentine in disguise, a retired safecracker who has chosen a quiet life in Fernville with his daughter Bonnie. He uses his craft to protect the town and provides his prints to help resolve the case, offering a path to clear everyone’s name. His restraint and willingness to sacrifice himself for the town’s good define his character.

🗝️ Cunning 🛡️ Protective 🤫 Secretive

Cleo Arden (Gloria Dickson)

Cleo is a radio co-host and Jason’s partner, helping drive the investigation and keep spirits up. She participates in the hunt and offers support to Jason, mixing warmth with a pragmatic perspective. Her presence underscores the blend of showmanship and sleuthing in the story.

🎙️ Charismatic 🤝 Loyal 🌟 Confident

Bonnie Forbes (Ruth Terry)

Bonnie, Tom’s daughter, becomes involved in the search and helps Jason with information about the Forbes household. She also shows romantic interest in Jason, adding a personal stake to the investigation. Her curiosity and courage push the plot forward while anchoring the human side of the mystery.

💖 Compassionate 🔍 Curious 💪 Determined

Mike Jason (Dennis O'Keefe)

Mike Jason is a radio host who uses the search for Jimmy Valentine to boost ratings. He mobilizes the town’s energy and shapes public perception through the broadcast, highlighting the era’s media-driven thrill for crime and spectacle. His charismatic leadership hides a calculating edge as the investigation unfolds.

🎤 Charismatic 🎯 Manipulative 🧠 Strategic

Pinky Dolan (Harry Shannon)

Pinky is Tom Forbes’ gardener who stirs rumors about Valentine and provides a vital clue through a photo. He becomes a casualty of the chase when Mousey kills him in a confrontation, escalating the town’s fear and suspicion. His role blurs the line between rumor and evidence in the investigation.

🌿 Ordinary 🗒️ Storyteller

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:46

Major Themes – The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine (1942)

Explore the central themes of The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine (1942), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔎 Mystery

Investigation drives the plot as the town becomes a stage for clues and rumor. The radio-hosted search treats the town like a live mystery, exposing both kindness and suspicion among neighbors. The identity of Jimmy Valentine is a moving target, mixing legend, disguise, and motive. The resolution reframes the pursuit from mere crime-solving to uncovering truth and motive.

🎭 Deception

Disguises and false faces permeate the story, with Valentine secretly living as Tom Forbes. The town’s hunt feeds misperceptions, as Jason suspects Valentine while Tom defends himself. The Pinky murder and Mousey’s revenge show how appearances mask loyalties and past sins. The twist recasts who is guilty and who is protecting, challenging assumptions about guilt.

🏘️ Community

Fernville’s residents form a fragile, cooperative community built on routines and shared secrets. Ex-convicts who settled there test the town’s commitment to peaceful, law-abiding life. The pursuit pulls in Bonnie, Cleo, and Mike Jason as they navigate trust, rumor, and collective safety. In the end, the town stands as witness and shield against revenge and false accusation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:46

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The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine Summary

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The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine Summary

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The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine Timeline

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The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine (1942) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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