There Goes My Heart

There Goes My Heart

Year: 1938

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: English

Director: Norman Z. McLeod

RomanceComedy

An heiress, tired of her privileged life, assumes a modest position as a department‑store clerk, where she meets a man from a humble background. Though they fall in love, a looming fortune and family expectations threaten their relationship, forcing both to confront what truly matters.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – There Goes My Heart (1938)

Explore the full timeline and setting of There Goes My Heart (1938). 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 late 1930s United States, the film captures the era's blend of glamour, media sensationalism, and the contrast between wealth and everyday work life. The bustling city environment, the press's pursuit of a hot story, and the social rituals of department stores reflect the period's culture. The narrative uses these spaces to explore romance and personal authenticity amid public scrutiny.

Location

Yacht, New York City, Butterfield's department store, Automat, Island cabin

The story moves between glamorous high-society spaces and everyday urban life. It unfolds on a luxurious yacht where an heiress tries to escape public gaze, then shifts to bustling New York City and the Butterfield's department store, before retreating to a remote island cabin. These settings highlight class contrasts, the performative nature of fame, and the tension between public image and private identity.

🗽 Urban setting 🏬 Department store 🚢 Yacht 🏝 Island getaway

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:45

Main Characters – There Goes My Heart (1938)

Meet the key characters of There Goes My Heart (1938), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Bill Spencer (Fredric March)

A determined newspaper reporter who pursues the missing heiress for a hot photo story. He uses perseverance and charm to get close to Joan, and gradually falls in love while weighing the ethics of publishing against personal happiness.

📰 Reporter 🎯 Determined

Joan Butterfield (Virginia Bruce)

An heiress who longs for an ordinary life, she sneaks away from her social circle and assumes a modest identity as Joan Baker. She is kind-hearted, adaptable, and brave, navigating daily tasks and relationships without the glamour of her title.

👑 Heiress 🧭 Identity

Peggy O'Brien (Patsy Kelly)

A practical, good-hearted friend who welcomes Joan into her life and helps her adjust to ordinary work life. She provides support, humor, and a path to potential romance with Bill and Joan.

🤝 Friend 😂 Comic Foil

Cyrus W. Butterfield (Claude Gillingwater)

The wealthy grandfather and department store magnate who guards the Butterfield name. He is protective, status-conscious, and uses the press to manage his family's image.

👑 Patriarch 🏢 Businessman

Penny E. Pennypepper (Alan Mowbray)

Peggy's chiropractor boyfriend who becomes part of the couple's schemes. He adds a light, supportive dynamic and helps move the plot toward resolution.

🧑‍⚕️ Doctor 💡 Supportive

Dorothy Moore (Nancy Carroll)

A jealous co-worker who recognizes Joan's true identity and drives conflict. Her actions reveal the fragile nature of secrets in a competitive workplace.

🗞️ Rival 🧠 Schemer

Mr. Stevens (Eugene Pallette)

The editor pushing for a sensational exclusive; he embodies the press's appetite for drama and headlines, often clashing with Bill's personal ethics.

🗞️ Editor 📈 Media Power

Flash Fisher (Arthur Lake)

Bill's lighthearted friend and confidant who adds humor and helps move the story along. He provides a social counterpoint to the romance and drama.

🎭 Sidekick 😂 Comic Relief

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:45

Major Themes – There Goes My Heart (1938)

Explore the central themes of There Goes My Heart (1938), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Identity

A central tension is Joan's double life: living as an heiress on a yacht and then as a regular salesgirl under an assumed name. The film probes what happens when public persona clashes with inner desires, and how disguises can both protect and complicate relationships. It shows how characters seek genuine connection beyond social masks.

💘 Love & Fame

Bill's pursuit of a sensational photo becomes a test of whether romance can survive under the glare of publicity. As he falls for Joan, he grapples with whether to publish the story or protect their growing relationship. The narrative weighs personal happiness against career incentives in a media-driven world.

📰 Media & Reputation

The newsroom's pressure to scoop drives much of the plot, with Stevens pushing for an exclusive and the pieces being assembled and reassembled. The film critiques how headlines and bylines shape people's lives, sometimes at the expense of truth and tenderness. The climax hinges on whether love can outpace the power of the press.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:45

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Unlock the Full Story of There Goes My Heart

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There Goes My Heart Summary

Read a complete plot summary of There Goes My Heart, 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.

There Goes My Heart Summary

There Goes My Heart Timeline

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There Goes My Heart Timeline

More About There Goes My Heart

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More About There Goes My Heart