The Crash

Linda Gault rises from poverty to a life of wealth by seducing men for money. She is determined never to be poor again and plays the part of a refined socialite. This transformation sets the stage for the conflicts to come.

Geoffrey discovers Linda's infidelities and pressures her to obtain investment recommendations from her latest lover, John Fair. Linda agrees to gather insights from Fair and continues her affair while pretending to be loyal to Geoffrey. The dynamic sets up the tension between love, money, and trust.

As the market grows volatile, Fair refuses to share any inside information with Linda. Not wanting to admit she failed to charm him, Linda lies to Geoffrey, insisting the market will rise. The deception deepens the distance between Linda and her husband.

The Wall Street crash of 1929 obliterates Geoffrey's fortune, wiping out the gains the couple hoped to preserve. Linda's previous manipulation and the market's collapse converge to devastate them financially. Geoffrey's pride and confidence begin to crumble in the wake of the losses.

To avoid poverty, Linda persuades Geoffrey to pay for her extended stay in Bermuda, using funds he would otherwise need to try to recover. The plan keeps her away from immediate financial danger while she recalibrates her schemes. Geoffrey reluctantly agrees, hoping to regain his footing.

In Bermuda, Linda is courted by Ronnie Sanderson, an Australian sheep rancher who offers a different kind of life. Ronnie proposes that Linda live with him in Australia, but she hesitates, sensing that Australia might not offer what she wants. Upon learning that Geoffrey is now broke, she grows more eager to profit from Ronnie's affection.

Linda travels back to New York City to initiate divorce proceedings, while Geoffrey laughs off the idea of her marrying a sheep rancher. The mockery underscores his belief that she cannot attract a true partner. The stage is set for a new phase in her pursuit of wealth.

Meanwhile, Linda's maid Celeste steals Linda's jewelry to help her jailed boyfriend Arthur. The loss accelerates Linda's downward spiral, and she finds herself broke and taking a job as a clothing-store clerk. This marks a drastic fall from her earlier gilded existence.

Ronnie visits Linda and reaffirms his interest in marrying her if she returns to Australia, but Geoffrey warns Ronnie about Linda's spoiled past. Ronnie remains unfazed by Geoffrey's concerns, showing his confidence in Linda's sway. Linda's prospects hinge on her ability to reconcile wealth with affection.

On the night Linda prepares to depart, Geoffrey confronts Fair about the supposed money loss tied to Fair's statements to Linda. They quarrel, but Fair ultimately lends Geoffrey part of the money he had lost, easing some financial pressure. The exchange further entangles Linda's fate with both men.

Back home, Linda says goodbye to Geoffrey, and they reconcile, recognizing their mutual faults. In a final gesture, Linda tears up Fair's check, symbolizing a rejection of her old life and a reclaimed agency. The film closes on a note of fragile domestic renewal.