This Is the Night

This Is the Night

Year: 1932

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: English

Director: Frank Tuttle

RomanceComedy

When Stephen, the husband of Gerald’s mistress Claire, finds a pair of tickets for a planned Venice getaway, Gerald must quickly invent a wife to hide the affair. To keep up the ruse, he hires a woman to pose as his wife, keeping Stephen clueless. The fake marriage creates tension as they try to convince all, since Stephen demands the couple travel.

This Is the Night (1932) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at This Is the Night (1932) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the glittering wake of the 1932 Summer Olympics, the bustling streets of Europe conceal a tangled love triangle that threatens to unravel with a single discovery. When Stephen returns home unexpectedly, he stumbles upon a pair of train tickets meant for a secret Venetian escape. The tickets belong to his wife Claire, whose affection has silently drifted toward another man, Gerald. The unexpected reunion forces Gerald into a desperate scramble, as he must conceal the affair while keeping Stephen blissfully unaware of the betrayal that lurks just beneath the surface.

The solution he concocts is as daring as it is absurd: he must present a convincing spouse to accompany him on the planned journey. Enlisting the aid of his loyal confidant Bunny, the pair turns to the world of theatre, searching for a woman who can embody the elegance and poise of a high‑society wife. Their first hope, a seasoned actress, slips away due to personal entanglements, leading them to a struggling performer named Germaine. Though initially deemed too demure for the role, Germaine soon convinces Gerald that she can master the façade of glamour required to satisfy Stephen’s expectations.

Set against the romantic backdrop of 1930s Europe, the film balances the sleek allure of a Venetian getaway with the nervous comedy of improvised deception. The tone is light‑hearted yet edged with the tension of secret desires, revealing how quickly affection can turn into performance when appearances matter more than truth. As the characters navigate the delicate dance of false identities, the story invites the audience to wonder how far a lie can stretch before the very city of canals begins to reflect the hidden truths of its visitors.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 10:19

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Farcical romantic comedies with mistaken identities like This Is the Night

Comedies where a simple lie about love spirals into chaotic, hilarious situations.This list features movies like This Is the Night, where a fabricated romance causes a cascade of comedic errors. If you enjoyed the lighthearted chaos of lies spiraling out of control, you'll find similar screwball comedies and witty romantic farces here, full of playful deception and happy endings.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a character telling a small, impulsive lie—often about being married or in a relationship—to avoid embarrassment or exposure. This lie quickly necessitates further deceptions, involving hired actors or unwitting participants, leading to a series of increasingly absurd and coincidental encounters. The plot is driven by the constant threat of discovery, creating a fast-paced sequence of near-misses and misunderstandings that culminate in a farcical climax where the truth is revealed, often resulting in a genuine romantic connection.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a specific blend of light, romantic tone and fast, farcical pacing. They prioritize witty dialogue, situational humor, and the absurd complications that arise from a central deception, offering a consistently playful and low-stakes viewing experience focused on romantic entanglements and social comedy.

Playful and chaotic social comedies similar to This Is the Night

Fast-paced comedies where characters navigate a whirlwind of social blunders and witty repartee.Discover movies with a similar feel to This Is the Night, featuring high-society deceptions and fast-paced comic chaos. If you liked the frivolous tone and the humor derived from social embarrassment and quick-witted characters trying to maintain a facade, this collection of sophisticated yet silly comedies is for you.

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Narrative Summary

The plot often revolves around maintaining a social facade—be it a secret affair, a hidden identity, or a fabricated circumstance—within a sophisticated or upper-class setting. The humor stems from the stark contrast between polished appearances and the underlying farce. Characters are constantly improvising and scheming to keep up appearances, leading to a domino effect of coincidences, interruptions, and clever verbal exchanges that drive the narrative forward at a breakneck speed.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their specific mix of a light tone, fast pacing, and moderate intensity derived from social, rather than physical, peril. They create a cohesive experience of bubbly, intellectual humor centered on deception, jealousy, and the absurdities of trying to control social perception, all wrapped in a stylish, romantic package.

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This Is the Night Summary

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This Is the Night Summary

This Is the Night Timeline

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This Is the Night Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in This Is the Night

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape This Is the Night. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in This Is the Night

More About This Is the Night

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about This Is the Night: 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 This Is the Night

Similar Movies to This Is the Night

Discover movies like This Is the Night 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.