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!

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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

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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.

Funny Mistaken Identity Movies like Three of a Kind

Fast-paced romantic comedies where lies and false impressions spark humorous chaos.If you enjoyed the playful deceptions in Three of a Kind, you'll love these movies where mistaken identities and clever lies drive the comedic plot. Discover similar lighthearted romantic comedies filled with mix-ups and hilarious social blunders.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically begin with a central deception or a case of mistaken identity. This single lie or misunderstanding snowballs, creating a complex web of confusion that affects all the characters. The plot builds through a series of comedic mishaps and near-discoveries before the truth is finally revealed, often leading to romance and reconciliation.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a core narrative engine of deception. They prioritize clever, fast-paced dialogue and situational humor over deep drama, creating a fun, escapist experience where the stakes are social and romantic, never truly dangerous.

Romantic Comedies about Class Differences like Three of a Kind

Whimsical stories where love blossoms across social classes through comedy and pretense.Fans of Three of a Kind will enjoy these humorous takes on love across social divides. Explore movies similar to Three of a Kind where fortune hunting and societal expectations create a playful backdrop for romance and mistaken identity.

comedicromanticplayfulsatiricallightheartedsocietydeceptive

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a romantic pairing where economic or social standing is a primary obstacle. One or both characters engage in a masquerade to bridge this gap, leading to a series of comedic set pieces that highlight the absurdities of class conventions. The journey resolves with the characters finding genuine love that transcends their initial materialistic or social motivations.

Why These Movies?

These movies are linked by their thematic focus on class as a source of both conflict and comedy. They share a light, satirical touch when portraying high society and a playful vibe where love conquers not just all, but also bank balances and social registers.

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

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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

Three of a Kind Spoiler-Free Summary

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Three of a Kind Spoiler-Free Summary

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

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Discover movies like Three of a Kind 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.