The Lady Takes a Sailor

The Lady Takes a Sailor

Year: 1949

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: English

Director: Michael Curtiz

RomanceComedy

Jennifer Smith runs a consumer‑advocacy firm built on her reputation for absolute honesty. During a leisurely outing on her boat she stumbles upon a secret prototype submarine piloted by the charismatic Bill Craig. When her boat sinks, she struggles to explain her absence, while Bill and his allies work to discredit her story and undermine her credibility.

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Timeline & Setting – The Lady Takes a Sailor (1949)

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

Time period

1940s

The story unfolds in a post-World War II era, reflecting mid-century American social norms and a growing fascination with technology and secrecy. Business funding, private investigations, and secret government missions all feel grounded in this period's atmosphere of ambition and suspicion. The setting combines professional ambition with personal entanglements, characteristic of its time.

Location

Long Island, New York

Jennifer and Susan retreat to a luxurious beach house on Long Island, a seaside enclave known for its opulent homes and ocean views. The coast sets the stage for social gatherings, private conversations, and the tension between ambition and secrecy. The stormy nights and proximity to the sea drive pivotal moments that push the plot toward revelation.

🏖️ Beach town 🚤 Coastal setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:49

Main Characters – The Lady Takes a Sailor (1949)

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

Jennifer Smith (Jane Wyman)

As head of the Buyer's Research Institute, Jennifer is driven, intelligent, and ambitious, determined to secure funding and validate a bold discovery. Her pursuit of truth leads her to investigate the underwater project, even as personal feelings for Bill complicate her judgment. She navigates corporate pressure with resilience, though her choices become increasingly entangled with romance and risk.

💼 Businesswoman 🧠 Intellectual ❤️ Romantic conflict

Susan Wayne (Eve Arden)

Jennifer's friend and business partner, she runs a cosmetics company and owns a beautiful beach house where much of the story unfolds. Practical and supportive, she initially doubts Jennifer's extraordinary tale but stands by her as events spiral. Her loyalty provides emotional ballast amid the turmoil of funding struggles and intrigue.

🤝 Business Partner 🎀 Socialite 🗣️ Loyal ally

Bill Craig (Davy Jones) (Dennis Morgan)

A submarine engineer leading a secret government mission under the alias Davy Jones. He is resourceful, pragmatic, and protective of his cover, yet his growing relationship with Jennifer complicates his dual life. He skillfully navigates danger and deception while pursuing his objectives.

🔧 Engineer 🕵️ Secret Agent

Raquel Riviera (Lina Romay)

A singer linked to photographs found in the underwater vehicle, Raquel is evasive about knowing Davy Jones. She exudes confidence and charm, yet her true motives and connections to the mystery remain ambiguous for much of the story. Her interactions with Bill add layers of intrigue and doubt.

🎤 Singer 🗝️ Key Witness

Ralph Whitcomb (Allyn Joslyn)

Jennifer's fiancé, a polished and supportive figure who becomes entangled in the couple's professional and personal upheavals. He helps bridge or complicate the tension between Jennifer and Bill, depending on the moment, and his reactions reveal the social expectations of the era.

💍 Fiancé 🧭 Loyal companion

Henry Duckworth (Tom Tully)

A private detective hired by Jennifer to uncover the truth. Persistent and observant, he pursues leads but is eventually outmaneuvered by Bill’s cunning. He represents the vigilant, skeptical outsider who adds procedural texture to the plot.

🕵️ Private Detective 🧭 Investigator

John Tyson (Robert Douglas)

The head of Tyson Institute, his decisions drive the funding narrative. He scrutinizes Jennifer’s credibility and the integrity of the project, and his willingness to withdraw support highlights the power dynamics between science, money, and reputation.

🏢 Institute Head 💼 Gatekeeper

Plasterer (Jack Lemmon) (uncredited)

A minor, uncredited cameo that adds a touch of humor and human texture to the proceedings. His brief appearance underscores the film’s ability to balance lighter moments with high-stakes intrigue.

🎬 Cameo 🧱 Plasterer

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:49

Major Themes – The Lady Takes a Sailor (1949)

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

💖 Romance vs Ambition

Jennifer's pursuit of funding and recognition collides with her developing feelings for Bill. Her professional goals push her to take risks, while love introduces doubt and vulnerability. The romance complicates decisions and threatens to derail critical plans. The clash between personal desires and career responsibilities drives the emotional arc.

🕵️ Secrets

Bill Craig's Davy Jones persona hides a double life tied to a secret mission. Jennifer relentlessly pursues the truth, uncovering clues that threaten to expose dangerous realities. Deception and misdirection propel the suspense as characters navigate who can be trusted. The tension between appearance and reality is central to the narrative.

💰 Funding Pressure

A major offer from Tyson Institute becomes a catalyst for conflict and manipulation. The withdrawal of support after doubts about Jennifer's credibility shows how money shapes scientific narratives and personal loyalties. The pursuit of funding intertwines with politics, ego, and risk. Financial stakes amplify the drama beyond mere romance or discovery.

🎭 Concealed Identity

The plot is built on masks and mistaken identities as characters hide who they truly are. Davy Jones and Bill Craig embody this theme by presenting opposing faces to the world. Revelations force a redefinition of trust and allegiance among all involved. The unmasking alters relationships and the course of the investigation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:49

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The Lady Takes a Sailor Timeline

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