The Rat Race

The Rat Race

Year: 1960

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Mulligan

ComedyRomanceDrama

Caught in a frantic, wild rat race, an aspiring musician lands in New York hoping to make his name. While chasing fame and fortune, he encounters a lively taxi dancer, takes up residence with her, and their close quarters soon spark a tender romance that deepens amid the city’s relentless hustle.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Rat Race (1960)

Trace every key event in The Rat Race (1960) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Pete leaves Milwaukee for New York City to pursue a jazz career

Pete Hammond Jr. leaves his Milwaukee home by bus, chasing a dream of becoming a jazz saxophonist in New York. He arrives in the city and begins a hopeful, if difficult, search for work. The job market in the big city is hard, and his optimism is tempered by reality.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2

Pete meets Peggy Brown and offers her shelter

In New York, Pete meets Peggy Brown, a model and taxi dancer who has just been evicted. He offers her a place to stay, despite her penniless state. The two form a wary, roommate-like alliance as they share the apartment.

New York City
3

They struggle with low paying jobs and trust issues

Pete and Peggy scramble through a string of low-paying gigs while trying to keep their arrangement afloat. Peggy warns Pete that people cannot be trusted. They navigate the harsh city together as friends.

New York City
4

Pete is scammed at a band audition

Pete finally gets an audition with a band, but the other musicians send him away to fetch beers and steal his instruments. The scam shatters his optimism and confirms Peggy's cautionary warning about trusting others. He leaves empty handed and disillusioned.

New York City
5

Pete lands a job as an alto man on a cruise ship

Though he has no instruments, Pete lands a job as an alto man on a cruise ship, seeking steady work while the city remains a struggle. He has to work without his own instruments, relying on the ship's resources. The cruise becomes a temporary lifeline for his musical ambitions.

On board a cruise ship
6

Peggy borrows money from Nellie Miller and contemplates prostitution

Peggy seeks extra funds by visiting Nellie Miller, an abusive taxi dance hall owner who holds her in debt. Nellie forces Peggy into a no strings attached arrangement to prostitute herself for patrons to repay what she owes. Peggy agrees outwardly, masking her fear behind a cynical front.

Nellie Miller's taxi-dance hall, New York City
7

Nellie tightens control and Peggy's debt grows

Nellie tightens control, forcing Peggy to perform as debt payment while Pete writes to Peggy daily from the cruise, unaware of Peggy's growing danger. Peggy's relationship with Pete stays hopeful, but the circumstances keep pulling them apart. The strain tests their bond.

New York City
8

Peggy stalls and Nellie strips Peggy to coerce payment

Peggy stalls fulfilling her end of the deal, and Nellie retaliates by stripping Peggy of her dress and shoes to prove ownership. Peggy flees the room, terrified by the threat of further disfigurement. The moment marks a turning point in their precarious arrangement.

Nellie's taxi-dance hall, New York City
9

Pete sacrifices his earnings to protect Peggy

Feeling protective, Pete gives up all his wages, his wristwatch, and his new instruments to clear Nellie's debt and keep Peggy safe. The sacrifice underscores his commitment and the danger Peggy faces. He acts to shield her at great personal cost.

Nellie's dance hall, New York City
10

Pete confesses his love and they kiss

Pete finally confesses his love for Peggy and they share a kiss, strengthening their bond. The moment is tempered by the memory of his past romances during the cruise. They acknowledge the risks but choose to stay connected.

Pete and Peggy's apartment, New York City
11

Pete reveals he mixed with three women on the cruise

Pete reveals to Peggy that he mixed with three women while on the cruise, testing her trust and confronting a painful truth. Peggy absorbs the confession and weighs how it should affect their future together.

New York City
12

Peggy chooses to stay and urges him to quit cruise work

Peggy agrees to stay with Pete, but she urges him to stop working on cruise ships. They reaffirm their commitment while facing the uncertain path ahead. Together they resolve to navigate their difficult circumstances as a team.

Pete and Peggy's apartment, New York City

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:51

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Rat Race

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