The Devil and Miss Jones (1941) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Merrick goes undercover as Thomas Higgins, a shoe clerk at Neely's Department Store, to identify the union agitators trying to form a union. After seeing a newspaper photo of his employees hanging him in effigy during a labor dispute, he decides to infiltrate the store from within to discover who's leading the organizing effort.

Foreshadowing: The newspaper image of his effigy sets the entire premise in motion.

• undercover
• union agitators
• labor dispute
• Thomas Higgins

While riding the subway home from Coney Island, John accidentally drops a card that reveals his undercover identity to Merrick's workers. Mary picks up the card and immediately realizes that 'Thomas Higgins' is actually John P. Merrick, the owner of the store.

Foreshadowing: Earlier at Coney Island, John had secretly stolen the strike list while pretending to nap, establishing his dual role.

• Mary Jones
• identity reveal
• Thomas Higgins
• subway

After the store manager tricks them into handing over the list of employees willing to strike, John and Mary reclaim the document and destroy it by eating it. This removes the manager's leverage over the workers and prevents him from targeting union supporters. Mary then uses the intercom to call for a store-wide strike.

Foreshadowing: John had previously stolen the list at Coney Island, showing its importance to management.

• strike list
• eating document
• store manager
• intercom strike

Joe faints upon learning that 'Thomas Higgins' is actually John P. Merrick, the wealthy owner of Neely's Department Store. The shock of discovering that his close friend and fellow worker was actually the tycoon he'd been fighting against proves overwhelming, especially given the class tensions and labor dispute between them.

Foreshadowing: John's growing empathy throughout the film and his confrontations with management set up this reversal.

• Joe O'Brien
• faint
• identity reveal
• shock

During the Coney Island beach day, Joe helps someone avoid arrest by reciting the Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence. This moment demonstrates the workers' intelligence, ideals, and character, showing Merrick that the union organizers are thoughtful, principled people rather than simply troublemakers. It shifts his perspective on labor relations.

Foreshadowing: This scene marks a turning point where Merrick begins genuinely sympathizing with the workers.

• Coney Island
• Bill of Rights
• Joe O'Brien
• union ideals

When John reveals his true identity to Elizabeth, he asks her to reconsider her stance on marrying a rich man. This reveals that Elizabeth had previously expressed reservations about marrying into wealth, and John is now openly expressing his interest in her despite, or because of, his wealth. It sets up their eventual marriage.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the film, Merrick's attraction to Elizabeth grows as he observes her gentle, steady presence.

• Elizabeth Ellis
• marry rich
• John Merrick
• proposal

The store manager deceives John and Mary into handing over the strike list, the document containing names of employees willing to join the union. He exploits their attempt to negotiate by pretending to consider their terms, then takes the list when they trustingly present it as evidence of worker support.

Foreshadowing: The earlier confrontation in the manager's office establishes his antagonistic role.

• store manager
• deception
• strike list
• trick

After the store confrontation and the destruction of the strike list, all Neeley's employees picket Merrick's home to demonstrate solidarity and pressure for better working conditions. This escalation forces John to take action and eventually reveal his identity to negotiate directly with the workers.

Foreshadowing: Mary's intercom call to strike energizes the workforce into organized action.

• picket
• Merrick home
• labor protest
• strike action

The film ends with a joint wedding ceremony on a cruise liner, symbolizing the unions formed through the story, both romantic and labor-related. John marrying Elizabeth and Mary marrying Joe represents the resolution of both the romantic tensions and the labor conflict, with management and workers now harmoniously united.

Foreshadowing: The romantic tensions between both couples develop throughout Merrick's time at the store.

• wedding
• cruise liner
• John Elizabeth
• Mary Joe
• happy ending

In the final scene, John reveals he has paid for all the store employees to take a Hawaiian vacation together. This gesture cements the reconciliation between labor and management, shows John's transformation from ruthless tycoon to benevolent employer, and provides a celebratory conclusion to the film's message about understanding between classes.

Foreshadowing: John's growing empathy and changed perspective foreshadow this generous act.

• Hawaii
• vacation
• employees
• generosity
• reconciliation