This Happy Feeling (1958) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

In the sophisticated tradition of romantic comedies comes a story where chance encounters spark unexpected complications. The film offers a witty exploration of love and attraction, set against a world where Broadway glamour meets quiet country living—and where a single rainstorm can change everything.

Janet Blake, a secretary seeking to escape an uncomfortable situation with her employer, finds herself stranded in a downpour after declining what she mistakenly assumes is an unwelcome offer of a ride. Soaked and seeking shelter, she arrives at the doorstep of Preston Mitchell, a retired actor whose peaceful Connecticut farm becomes the unlikely setting for an unfolding romantic tangle. Grateful for his kindness, Janet accepts a position as his secretary, unaware that her arrival has set new dynamics in motion.

Mitchell's neighbor, Bill Tremaine, soon finds himself drawn into the situation, and what begins as simple hospitality evolves into a more complex web of affection and rivalry. Both men, it seems, carry their own histories and hopes—and Nita Hollaway, long connected to Mitchell's world, observes the shifting terrain with her own interests at heart. The stage is set for a story where hearts are tested and choices must be made, all beneath the guise of lighthearted romance.

As tensions simmer and attractions deepen, each character must confront what they truly want. With Broadway ambitions lingering in the background and the countryside offering both escape and entanglement, the question remains: when opportunity and affection collide, who will follow their heart—and where will it lead them?