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.

The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine (1942) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine (1942) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the bustling world of New York radio, Mike Jason is always on the hunt for the next big story to keep his listeners glued to the microphone. When a legend surfaces about a retired safe‑cracker known as Jimmy Valentine, he seizes the opportunity to turn the mystery into a town‑wide contest, promising a hefty reward for anyone who can bring the elusive figure to light. The premise is simple enough to spark curiosity, but the stakes quickly rise as the chase promises to shake the quiet rhythm of a place far removed from the city’s din.

The contest leads Mike and his on‑air sidekick Cleo Arden to Fernville, a picture‑perfect Illinois hamlet whose residents cherish their privacy and are wary of outsiders poking around old stories. The town’s unassuming charm masks a network of long‑held secrets, and the arrival of a charismatic radio crew, complete with a boisterous local enthusiast, begins to stir a subtle tension that ripples through the streets and storefronts. The mood balances light‑hearted banter with an undercurrent of unease, hinting that not everything in Fernville is as placid as it appears.

Helping Mike navigate this unfamiliar terrain is Bonnie Forbes, the sharp‑witted daughter of the town newspaper’s editor. Her curiosity mirrors his own, and together with her father Tom Forbes and the garden‑working Pinky Dolan, they form an unlikely partnership that blends professional ambition with personal stakes. Meanwhile, Mousey Scarlatti, a gritty local eager to prove himself, adds a rough edge to the mix, his motives hinting at deeper connections to the town’s past.

The film settles into a tone that is part light‑hearted mystery, part atmospheric small‑town drama, inviting the audience to linger over whispered rumors and cautious glances. As the contest unfolds, the characters find themselves drawn into a web of intrigue that challenges their assumptions about identity, reputation, and the price of fame, all set against the backdrop of a community that guards its own quiet history.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 10:01

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Movies about small town secrets like The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine

Outsiders arrive in a wary community, stirring up long-buried crimes and hidden identities.If you enjoyed the wary, investigative atmosphere of The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine, you'll like these movies where secrets are buried in a small town. Discover similar crime dramas and mysteries where an outsider's presence forces a community to confront its hidden past.

suspensefulinvestigativesmall towndeceptionwarysurprisingnostalgic

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows an investigator, often an outsider, who arrives in a seemingly tranquil community. Their probing disrupts the status quo, causing tension with proud residents who guard their secrets. The plot steadily uncovers a web of lies, past crimes, or hidden identities, leading to confrontations that resolve the central mystery while testing the community's bonds.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared setting of a close-knit community and the central conflict of an investigation challenging its secrecy. They share a wary, tense mood, a steady pacing that builds suspense through revelation, and a focus on the clash between public image and private truth.

Movies about hidden identities and reformation like The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine

A person living a reformed life is forced to confront the dangerous secrets they left behind.Fans of The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine will appreciate these dramas about characters with secret pasts. Explore stories of reformation and deception where a peaceful present is jeopardized by the threat of exposure, blending crime elements with personal stakes.

suspensefulhidden identityreformationdeceptionpersonal crisistenseredemption

Narrative Summary

The emotional journey follows a protagonist who has achieved redemption or reformation, living quietly under an assumed identity. The plot's conflict arises when their past is threatened by an external force—a vengeful associate, a curious journalist, or a criminal investigation. This creates a tense, personal crisis as the character struggles to maintain their hard-won peace, often leading to a climax where they must ultimately confront their history.

Why These Movies?

These films are linked by the core theme of a hidden identity and the psychological tension of potential exposure. They share a medium emotional weight, a steady pace focused on mounting personal danger, and a narrative that balances crime or mystery elements with a character's internal struggle for a second chance.

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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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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine

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