The Go-Getter

The Go-Getter

Year: 1937

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: Busby Berkeley

RomanceComedy

He Has What It Takes to Get What He Wants A Navy veteran with one leg fights to make himself a success.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Go-Getter yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Go-Getter (1937)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Go-Getter (1937). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s

Set in the 1930s, a period of economic hardship and industrial expansion in the United States. The plot centers on job scarcity after the Great Depression and the big-spirit drive of men like Bill to prove themselves. The film uses cross-country travel and international business as a backdrop for personal and professional ambition.

Location

San Francisco, Western United States, Seattle, Shanghai

The story begins in San Francisco, a bustling West Coast hub of commerce and industry. It travels across the Western United States, highlighting cross-country business deals and supply challenges. Seattle and Shanghai appear as key stops that show the global reach of the era's shipping networks.

🏙️ Cityscape 🌊 Coastal 🚢 Maritime

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:18

Main Characters – The Go-Getter (1937)

Meet the key characters of The Go-Getter (1937), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bill Austin (George Brent)

A highly capable helmsman who loses a leg in the Macon crash and, undeterred, pursues new employment. His persistent optimism and resourcefulness drive him to take on impossible tasks. He forms a romantic bond with Margaret while navigating the power dynamics of Cappy Ricks' empire.

🎯 Ambitious 💪 Resilient 🧭 Persistent

Cappy Ricks (Charles Winninger)

Retired founder of both Skinner and Peasely's firms, cautious yet fiercely protective of his legacy. He tests Bill's mettle with challenges like the blue vase task to see if he deserves a place in his company. He ultimately relents and supports Bill's marriage to Margaret.

🏛️ Commanding 🧠 Scheming 👔 Mentor

Margaret Ricks (Anita Louise)

Cappy's daughter and Bill's love interest. She recognizes Bill's drive and integrity, acting as a bridge between her father and the ambitious newcomer. Her involvement shapes the stakes of both romance and business.

❤️ Romantic 👩‍💼 Strategic 👪 Daughter

Lloyd Skinner (John Eldredge)

Head of a lumber company who clashes with Cappy's vision and drives part of the early conflict. He embodies the pragmatic, sometimes obstructive business partner who needs Bill's deal-making to save the day.

💼 Business 🧩 Rivalry 🤝 Collaboration

Matt Peasely (Willard Robertson)

Head of a shipping firm and competitor-turned-partner; he is polite and capable, adding friction to the race to close windows for sales and the cross-country journey. He represents the professional network that sustains the empire.

🏢 Professional 🗺️ Strategy 🤝 Partnership

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:18

Major Themes – The Go-Getter (1937)

Explore the central themes of The Go-Getter (1937), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎯 Ambition

Bill pursues a high-stakes path to prove his worth, turning a job search into a nationwide sales mission. He confronts skepticism from established executives and overcomes obstacles with persistence and ingenuity. The journey tests loyalty, risk, and the ability to seize opportunity.

💘 Romance

Bill and Margaret's growing affection intersects with business pressures and family dynamics. Their relationship motivates bold decisions, including risky moves to keep their engagement and marriage on track. Love endures even as careers and expectations collide.

🏢 Leadership

Cappy Ricks embodies mentorship and a demanding leadership style that pushes others to excel. The blue vase test and other obstacles illustrate strategic problem solving and faith in people's potential. The film frames leadership as a balance between ambition, loyalty, and personal connections.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:18

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with Underdog Success Stories like The Go-Getter

Stories about resilient heroes overcoming societal barriers to achieve their dreams.If you liked The Go-Getter, you'll enjoy these movies about determined individuals overcoming odds. These films share a hopeful tone, steady pacing, and light emotional weight, focusing on inspiring journeys of perseverance, career-building, and romantic fulfillment against societal barriers.

determinedhopefuloptimisticupliftingperseveringinspiringsweet

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a linear, straightforward path where an underdog protagonist faces a series of professional or personal tests. The central conflict arises from societal expectations or personal disadvantages, but the story is fueled by the character's relentless drive. A supportive romantic subplot often provides emotional fuel, and the ending is unambiguously happy, resolving both career and personal aspirations.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core mood of hopeful determination. They balance a steady pace with moderate tension from challenges, ensuring the viewer feels secure in a positive outcome. The tone is consistently optimistic, the emotional weight is light, and the focus is on inspiring character arcs rather than deep drama.

Movies with Sweet Workplace Romances like The Go-Getter

Charming stories where professional ambition and budding romance intertwine seamlessly.Find more movies like The Go-Getter where romance blossoms in a professional setting. These similar stories feature a high romance score, a light emotional touch, and a happy ending, combining the thrill of career ambition with the charm of a supportive romantic partnership.

romanticsweethopefulupliftingcharmingoptimisticdetermined

Narrative Summary

The plot often involves a protagonist striving to make their mark in a business or trade. The love interest is frequently connected to the workplace, such as a boss's relative or colleague, creating natural tension and synergy between the personal and professional arcs. The romance develops sweetly alongside the career challenges, with both narrative threads culminating in a joint success.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their successful blend of romance and career-focused plots. They maintain a light, hopeful feel despite professional hurdles, ensuring the romance remains a central, uplifting force. The pacing is steady, focusing on character development, and the tone avoids heavy drama in favor of sweet, optimistic storytelling.

Unlock the Full Story of The Go-Getter

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Go-Getter 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 Go-Getter is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Go-Getter Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Go-Getter, 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 Go-Getter Summary

The Go-Getter Timeline

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

The Go-Getter Timeline

The Go-Getter Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Go-Getter that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Go-Getter Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Go-Getter

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Go-Getter: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Go-Getter

Similar Movies to The Go-Getter

Discover movies like The Go-Getter that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.