The Skin Game

The Skin Game

Year: 1931

Runtime: 85 min

Language: English

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Drama

While working in a remote African hospital, Dan Farrell's pursuit of justice leads him to uncover a disturbing conspiracy. A deadly epidemic is claiming lives, and as Farrell investigates, he finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and corruption that reaches far beyond the hospital walls. He must navigate dangerous situations to expose the truth and fight for those affected by the crisis.

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Timeline & Setting – The Skin Game (1931)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Skin Game (1931). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Hillcrist estate, English countryside

The story unfolds on a rural English estate belonging to the aristocratic Hillcrists, with the surrounding countryside serving as a symbol of tradition facing modern industry. The land and its picturesque landscape become the battleground for class tensions and opportunistic land deals. The setting underscores the clash between old-money status and the encroaching, profit-driven ambitions of the Hornblowers.

🏰 Estate 🌳 Countryside

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:33

Main Characters – The Skin Game (1931)

Meet the key characters of The Skin Game (1931), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mr. Hillcrist

Patriarch of the Hillcrist family, embodying old-money respectability and a commitment to tradition. He places great importance on land and lineage, and his actions are colored by a desire to safeguard the family’s honor amid pressures from the Hornblowers. He navigates the moral grey areas created by the land deal and the resulting secrets.

🏛️ Old Money ⚖️ Family Honor 🕊️ Tradition

Mrs. Hillcrist

A matriarch within the Hillcrist household who upholds social propriety and reputation. She worries about how the Hornblowers’ plans may affect the family’s standing and the fate of their estate. Her cautious stance reflects the tension between public decorum and private loyalties.

🏛️ Old Money 🕊️ Tradition 🧭 Social Standing

Dawker

A Hillcrist employee who uncovers a dark secret about Chloe, the Hornblower daughter-in-law. He becomes a pivotal figure in pressuring the Hornblowers to deed the land, while contending with the ethical implications of sharing or withholding the information.

💼 Loyalist 🕵️‍♂️ Informant

Chloe Hornblower

Pregnant daughter-in-law of the Hornblowers, whose past life triggers fear of exposure and marital strain. Her secret drives much of the drama, culminating in a tragic turn that deeply impacts both families.

💎 Woman 🕳️ Secret Past

Charles Hornblower

Chloe’s husband and a member of the Hornblower family. He is drawn into the moral conflict surrounding the land deal and the secret, and his reactions contribute to the story’s escalating tension and impending tragedy.

💼 Family Business 🔥 Anger

Mr. Hornblower

The elder Hornblower, patriarch of the nouveau riche clan. He taunts the Hillcrists with visions of land expansion and confronts the old-guard values with ruthless ambition, epitomizing the conflict between wealth growth and social reputation.

💰 Wealth 🏛️ Ambition

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:33

Major Themes – The Skin Game (1931)

Explore the central themes of The Skin Game (1931), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏛️ Class Clash

A central tension pits the established Hillcrists against the rising Hornblowers, revealing how social status and tradition shape decisions and loyalties. The film explores snobbery, reputation, and the fear of losing one's place in a changing society. This clash drives the conflict and moral choices throughout the narrative.

💰 Greed

The so-called 'skin game' centers on land purchases and evictions driven by profit, illustrating how greed corrodes personal relationships and moral boundaries. Wealth accumulation becomes a force that destabilizes families and communities. The pursuit of money eclipses promises, vows, and a sense of rightful stewardship.

🕯️ Secrets and Tragedy

A concealed past involving Chloe triggers a chain of deceptions and a vow of silence that fractures marriages and trust. The revelation and the fear of exposure push characters toward drastic, tragic actions. The narrative demonstrates how secrets can inexorably erode family bonds and lead to irreversible consequences.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:33

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The Skin Game Summary

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The Skin Game Summary

The Skin Game Timeline

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The Skin Game Timeline

More About The Skin Game

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More About The Skin Game

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