The Mating Game

The Mating Game

Year: 1959

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: George Marshall

ComedyRomance

Set against a bucolic hay‑stack backdrop, tax collector Lorenzo Charlton arrives at the Larkins farm to confront Pop Larkins about unpaid back taxes. He must stay for a full day to evaluate the farm’s earnings, a task complicated by the charm of the farmer’s beautiful daughter, which diverts his attention and adds a playful obstacle to his diligent calculations.

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Timeline & Setting – The Mating Game (1959)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Mating Game (1959). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Mid-1950s

Set in the mid-1950s America, a postwar era of rising bureaucratic reach into small-town life. Rural communities balance tradition with new financial scrutiny as government agencies pursue back taxes. The period mood informs how characters respond to authority and press for fair outcomes.

Location

Larkin family farm, Maryland

The story unfolds on a family farm in rural Maryland. The Larkins live a simple, self-sufficient life with little paper trail, highlighting their independence and pride. The scenic farm setting underlines the community-centric world where neighbors rally to help in times of trouble.

🌾 Farm 🏡 Rural setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:57

Main Characters – The Mating Game (1959)

Meet the key characters of The Mating Game (1959), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mariette Larkin (Debbie Reynolds)

The eldest Larkin daughter, warm and practical, she anchors the family with optimism and resilience. She becomes the bridge between the Larkins and Lorenzo, coordinating help while resisting pressure to abandon the farm. Her evolving romance with Lorenzo challenges her sense of duty and loyalty to her family.

💖 Romantic 🧭 Pragmatic

Lorenzo Charlton (Tony Randall)

An IRS inspector assigned to the case, he starts as a by-the-book, buttoned-up agent. Over time, he relaxes his rigid stance and allows empathy to influence his judgments. His attraction to Mariette complicates his mission while highlighting the tension between duty and personal connection.

💼 Professional 🕊️ Witty

Pop Larkin

The patriarch of the Larkin family, proud and stubborn, he refuses to sell the farm and values his independence. He publicly rejects inflated offers from neighbors and stays steadfast in his principles. His warmth and stubborn pride drive the family’s moral stance throughout the crisis.

🎩 Proud 👐 Generous

Ma Larkin

The matriarch who keeps the family together with practical care and steady humor. She supports her husband and children, navigating social pressures with quiet resilience. Her presence embodies the heart of the family’s enduring unity.

🌾 Maternal 🏡 Family-first

Oliver Kelsey

The IRS supervisor who pushes the investigation and pushes for foreclosure when necessary. He embodies bureaucratic urgency and a stark approach to fiscal accountability. His stern demeanor contrasts with the Larkins’ warmth and resilience.

🏛️ Bureaucratic 🔎 Stern

Inspector General Bigelow

Legal authority overseeing the Larkin case, he ultimately facilitates a re-interpretation of the owed amount. He represents the system’s capacity for reconsideration when guided by proper legal channels. His involvement is pivotal to turning the crisis into a fair settlement.

⚖️ Legalistic 🧩 Detail-oriented

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:57

Major Themes – The Mating Game (1959)

Explore the central themes of The Mating Game (1959), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💖 Romance

A romance develops between Mariette and Lorenzo amid the tax investigation. Their chemistry challenges Lorenzo’s rigid professionalism and gradually softens his outlook. The relationship adds human stakes to the bureaucratic process, showing how personal connections can influence outcomes.

💼 Taxes

The central conflict revolves around back taxes the Larkins allegedly owe and the government’s demand to settle them. The story follows the audit, the farm’s financial vulnerability, and the community’s push to help without compromising dignity. In the end, a legal resolution uses a long-owed Civil War purchase to offset present and future taxes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:57

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Don't stop at just watching — explore The Mating Game in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Mating Game is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Mating Game Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Mating Game, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Mating Game Summary

The Mating Game Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Mating Game with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Mating Game Timeline

More About The Mating Game

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The Mating Game (1959) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Mating Game (1959) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Mating Game (1959) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow