The Amazing Mrs. Holliday

The Amazing Mrs. Holliday

Year: 1943

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Bruce Manning

MusicComedyDramaWarRomance

As a Secret Wife…She Doesn’t Do Bad! A missionary tries to outwit the U.S. government and smuggle Chinese orphans into the country.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Amazing Mrs. Holliday (1943)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Amazing Mrs. Holliday (1943). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

World War II era

Set during the Pacific theater of World War II, the narrative hinges on wartime disruption, refugees, and peril at sea. The threat of torpedoes and bombing raids frames the dangers faced by Ruth and the orphans. Immigration politics and the need for safe passage to the United States color the stakes throughout the story.

Location

South China, Pacific Ocean, Calcutta, San Francisco, Holliday Mansion

The story spans several locations: the ship route from South China across the Pacific, to Calcutta and finally the United States. Much of the action centers on San Francisco, where Ruth and the orphans seek entry into the country. The Holliday Mansion becomes a key setting, serving as sanctuary and the social stage for the central drama.

🌊 Ocean crossing 🚢 Transpacific voyage 🏙️ San Francisco 🗺️ South China

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:30

Main Characters – The Amazing Mrs. Holliday (1943)

Meet the key characters of The Amazing Mrs. Holliday (1943), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ruth Kirke Holliday (Deanna Durbin)

A young, idealistic schoolteacher who becomes the guardian of eight war orphans. She takes dangerous risks to ensure their safety and gradually falls in love with Tom. Her resolve wavers between honesty and the protective lie she maintains to secure the children's future.

🌟 Protagonist 👩‍🏫 Educator 💔 Torn by deception

Timothy Blake (Barry Fitzgerald)

A pragmatic sailor who aids Ruth and the orphans from the moment of the shipwreck. He provides steady support and helps orchestrate the ruse that keeps the children safe. His loyalty and sense of humor help soften the moral complexities of their plan.

🤝 Loyal ally 🚢 Sailor 🕊️ Compassionate

Commodore Thomas Spencer Holliday (Harry Davenport)

Wealthy shipping magnate and Ruth’s potential benefactor. He initially refuses legal help but ultimately becomes a patron who can offer stability to the orphans. He is willing to join the ruse to protect the children, and later contemplates Ruth’s future before the truth reshapes his plans.

🏛️ Wealthy patron 🗝️ Authority figure 💡 Pragmatic

Tom Holliday (Thomas Spencer Holliday III) (Edmond O'Brien)

Grandson of the Commodore; skeptical and protective, he is drawn to Ruth’s warmth and dedication to the children. His growing affection for Ruth complicates the deception, but he remains committed to the orphans' welfare.

🤍 Love interest 🧭 Skeptical 🏛️ Aristocrat

Pepe

The youngest of the rescued orphans; he dies in the lifeboat during the torpedo attack, marking a tragic moment in the voyage. His loss underscores the cost of displacement and the stakes of the characters’ choices.

🧒 Child 💔 Tragedy 🛟 Survivor’s cost

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:30

Major Themes – The Amazing Mrs. Holliday (1943)

Explore the central themes of The Amazing Mrs. Holliday (1943), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Compassion

Ruth's decision to care for eight war orphans reveals a deep sense of responsibility beyond her own safety. The bond she forms with Timothy and the children shows how mercy can flourish even in wartime scarcity. The film frames charity as a moral compass that drives action, often at personal cost.

🎭 Deception

To secure the orphans' future, Ruth and Timothy fabricate a marriage to the Commodore, creating a complex moral dilemma. The deception tests loyalties and shows how appearances can shape fate in a society hungry for headlines. Ultimately, truth is confronted, and the plan is reconciled with genuine affection.

💖 Romance

A slow-blooming romance develops between Ruth and Tom as they witness each other’s care for the children. Social constraints clash with personal feelings as duty and desire pull in different directions. The affair culminates in a shared commitment to the orphans' future beyond social convention.

🌊 Journey

The voyage across the Pacific is a literal and emotional trek, testing endurance and hope. The lifeboat scene and the loss of Pepe underline the fragility of life in wartime travel. Survival, rescue, and the promise of a new life in America drive the narrative forward.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:30

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The Amazing Mrs. Holliday Summary

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The Amazing Mrs. Holliday Summary

The Amazing Mrs. Holliday Timeline

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The Amazing Mrs. Holliday Timeline

More About The Amazing Mrs. Holliday

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