Three of a Kind

Three of a Kind

Year: 1936

Runtime: 68 mins

Language: English

Director: Phil Rosen

Comedy

A web of lies, swindles & dirty tricks! A truck driver and a gold-digger meet at a swank hotel and both think the other is wealthy. A drama of greed and society.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Three of a Kind 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 – Three of a Kind (1936)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Three of a Kind (1936). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Royal Valley Holiday Resort

The Royal Valley holiday resort serves as a glamorous backdrop where socialites mingle and schemes unfold. Its polished exterior masks a web of deception, mistaken identities, and petty scams surrounding a luxury getaway. Guests and staff alike become entangled in a comic tangle of ambitions and disguises.

🏖️ Resort 🕵️‍♂️ Mystery 💼 High society

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:55

Main Characters – Three of a Kind (1936)

Meet the key characters of Three of a Kind (1936), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Con Cornelius (Berton Churchill)

A smooth-talking con man who preys on others' desire for quick fortune. He manipulates at the Royal Valley resort, orchestrating a scam that triggers a cascade of mistaken identities. His schemes propel the comedy with his calculated, self-serving cunning.

🎭 Deception 🕵️‍♂️ Con Artist 💼 Opportunist

Barbara Penfield (Evalyn Knapp)

A determined daughter who pushes back against her father’s control and pursues a risky venture with her chosen ally. Her stealthy use of a false name ignites a series of identity swaps that drive the plot. She balances ambition with a longing for genuine romance.

💼 Wealth 💖 Romance 🧭 Independence

Rodney Randall (Bradley Page)

Barbara’s fortune-seeking suitor who treats business like a game. His willingness to chase wealth complicates relationships and exposes unreliable motives. As truths surface, his plans come under scrutiny and shift the course of the resort’s drama.

💵 Ambition 🪪 Scheming 🎭 Romance

Jerry Bassett (Chick Chandler)

A Penfield Company employee who becomes entangled in the car fraud and the mistaken-identity carousel. Pragmatic and loyal, he is swept along by the resort’s dizzying social dynamics until the truth begins to emerge.

🚗 Car Theft 🧩 Misunderstanding 🤝 Loyalty

Prudence Cornelius (Patricia Farr)

Con's daughter who arrives at the resort adding a new layer of meddling and intrigue. She embodies a mix of cunning and naivety that fuels key pivot points in the plot. Her presence heightens the comedy of manners and deception.

👩‍👧 Family 🕵️‍♀️ Mischief 💫 Social climbing

Police Sgt. Cogarty (Lew Kelly)

The determined lawman tracking the car fraud and tying together the web of mistaken identities. He provides a steady, procedural rhythm to the comedy and helps drive the narrative toward resolution.

👮 Investigation 🕵️‍♂️ Pursuit 🔎 Authority

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:55

Major Themes – Three of a Kind (1936)

Explore the central themes of Three of a Kind (1936), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Mistaken Identity

A tangle of misread identities drives the comedy, as characters assume others' wealth and status. The resort setting amplifies the confusion, with everyone pursuing deals based on false perceptions. Disguises and misnamed identities propel the plot toward comic yet impactful resolutions.

🕵️‍♂️ Deception & Fraud

Con artists exploit social pretenses to manipulate others into risky ventures. The car-yard scam intertwines with hotel intrigue, showing how small lies spread into larger schemes. A determined detective threads the pursuit of truth through the escalating deception.

💰 Wealth & Social Mobility

The story probes money’s lure and the thin line between appearance and reality. Barbara's independence clashes with paternal control, while cons exploit perceived fortunes. The resolution rebalances power as genuine relationships and assets come to light.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:55

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.

Unlock the Full Story of Three of a Kind

Don't stop at just watching — explore Three of a Kind 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 Three of a Kind is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Three of a Kind Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Three of a Kind, 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.

Three of a Kind Summary

Three of a Kind Timeline

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

Three of a Kind Timeline

More About Three of a Kind

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Three of a Kind: 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 Three of a Kind