The Great Lover

The Great Lover

Year: 1949

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: English

Director: Alexander Hall

Comedy

The French Sûreté and private eye Higgins pursue a killer who forces innocent American tourists into a gambling racket. Their chase leads aboard an ocean liner that also carries scoutmaster Freddie Hunter and his troop of boys. Freddie, with his “boy‑scout” image, pursues the Duchess Alexandria, while the boys try to keep him safe from becoming the killer’s next victim.

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Timeline & Setting – The Great Lover (1949)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Great Lover (1949). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Paris, France; On a passenger ship

The opening scenes unfold in a Paris hotel, a setting that hints at glamour and intrigue. Much of the action shifts to a luxurious ocean liner, where aristocrats and schemers navigate privilege and deception. The ship's cabins, promenades, and lifeboats become the stage for the pursuit and the unfolding plot. The contrast between Parisian high society and a transatlantic journey underscores the movie's blend of romance and crime.

🗺️ Paris 🚢 Ship

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:33

Main Characters – The Great Lover (1949)

Meet the key characters of The Great Lover (1949), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Duchess Alexandria (Rhonda Fleming)

Bankrupt aristocrat traveling with her father and dreaming of a new life in the United States. She is drawn to Freddie's charm while navigating social pretenses and the peril surrounding Dabney. Her trust is tested as secrets unfold, but she joins Freddie in resisting the conman and seeking truth.

🎭 Noblewoman 💘 Romance 💸 Bankruptcy

Freddie Hunter (Bob Hope)

An Ohio newspaperman who arrives in Paris seeking romance and escape from his ordinary life. He pretends to be a wealthy man to impress Alexandria, getting caught up in Dabney's card games. His quick wits and courage grow as he uncovers the scam and fights to protect the duchess.

🎭 Pretender 💬 Charm 💰 Deception

C.J. Dabney (Roland Young)

Notorious card-playing killer who manipulates games to win and kills to cover tracks. He orchestrates Freddie's losses and frames Freddie for Higgins's murder. Dabney's calm confidence masks a ruthless opportunist who will stop at nothing to avoid exposure.

🃏 Cardsharp 🗡️ Danger 🧠 Mastermind

Higgins (Jim Backus)

An American detective on the ship, intent on catching Dabney red-handed and preventing the murder. He tries to warn Freddie and pieces together the evidence before tragedy strikes. His murder in the cabin raises the stakes and accelerates the pursuit.

🕵️ Detective 🚨 Courage ⚖️ Duty

Grand Duke Maximilian (Roland Culver)

Bankrupt aristocrat traveling with his daughter, seeking a fresh start in the United States. He participates in the shipboard card game and personifies old-world charm paired with financial desperation. His presence illustrates the fragility of aristocratic privilege in a changing world.

👑 Aristocrat 💸 Debt 🎲 Gambler

Stanley Wilson (Richard Lyon)

The tallest member of the Boy Foresters aboard, a perceptive and loyal scout who anchors the troop amidst the intrigue. He observes, leads by example, and helps keep the scouts organized as the mystery unfolds.

🧒 Scout 🧭 Leader 🕊️ Loyalty

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:33

Major Themes – The Great Lover (1949)

Explore the central themes of The Great Lover (1949), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Deception

Charm and façades mask true intentions as Dabney manipulates Freddie and the Duchess. Freddie's wealth image is revealed as a ruse when Dabney's cheating comes to light. The story probes how appearances influence trust, and how disguises sustain a dangerous ruse aboard the ship and in Paris. The tension between truth and deceit drives the plot toward a dramatic confrontation.

💘 Romance

Freddie's attraction to the duchess drives the plot, blurring lines between romance and fraud. The social disparity between eager dreamers and aristocratic schemes creates tension. The romance is tested by financial lies, yet honesty ultimately wins trust and affection. The shipboard setting heightens the stakes as feelings collide with danger.

🔎 Crime & Justice

A cardsharp killer corners his victims with a signature tactic, turning the ship into a noir arena. Higgins's pursuit nearly catches Dabney, but the killer murders the detective and tries to frame Freddie. The diary passage and shipboard evidence expose the crime, shifting the balance of power. Freddie's quick thinking and courage turn him into the unexpected hero.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:33

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The Great Lover Summary

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The Great Lover Summary

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The Great Lover Timeline

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