Thrill of a Romance

Thrill of a Romance

Year: 1945

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard Thorpe

MusicRomanceComedy

Musical bliss with every kiss! A soldier falls in love with a newly-married woman after her husband abandons her for a business meeting on their honeymoon.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Thrill of a Romance (1945)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Thrill of a Romance (1945). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Mid-1940s

The narrative unfolds in the mid-1940s, a postwar era characterized by optimistic romance and social evenings at fashionable hotels. War heroes and returning servicemen populate the cast, reflecting the era's mix of duty and leisure. The timeframe anchors the drama of marriage, love triangles, and the delicate balance between commitment and temptation.

Location

Los Angeles, Monte Belva Hotel

Cynthia Glenn lives and works in Los Angeles as a swimming instructor, a backdrop of sun-soaked hotel life and leisure. The story shifts to the Monte Belva Hotel during the couple's honeymoon, where glamorous guests and social routines frame the romance. The hotel setting provides a stage for chance meetings, flirtations, and the sense of a carefree postwar escape.

🏙️ Los Angeles 🏨 Monte Belva Hotel

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:20

Main Characters – Thrill of a Romance (1945)

Meet the key characters of Thrill of a Romance (1945), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Cynthia Glenn (Esther Williams)

A confident swimming instructor in Los Angeles who becomes entangled in a complex triangle between her husband and a dashing war hero. She shows emotional resilience, humanity, and a desire to secure genuine love over social appearances. Her decisions drive the story toward reconciliation or renewed commitment.

💖 Romantic 🧭 Loyal

Bob Delbar (Carleton G. Young)

Cynthia's husband who travels to Washington on business, creating distance and testing the couple's bond. He loves Cynthia but is quick to distrust when he learns of potential infidelity, leading to tension and the possibility of annulment.

💬 Complicated 🛡️ Dutiful

Major Thomas Milvaine (Van Johnson)

A decorated war hero staying at the hotel who captivates Cynthia with charm and romance, yet cannot swim, which adds a humorous and vulnerable dynamic to their connection. His relationship with Cynthia evolves from admiration to genuine affection.

💙 Hero 🧭 Charm

Nona Glenn (Spring Byington)

Cynthia's scatterbrained aunt who provides a homey, comedic counterpoint to the glamorous hotel world. She supports Cynthia while adding warmth and mischief to the family dynamic.

🎭 Family 🧡 Warmth

Hobart Glenn (Henry Travers)

Cynthia's uncle, sharing in the domestic scenes and the moral backdrop of the story. He observes the drama with a mix of humor and concern.

🎩 Family 🏛️ Stability

Nils Knudsen (Lauritz Melchior)

A famous opera singer whose presence at the hotel anchors a key serenade scene. He embodies celebrity glamour and musical artistry within the plot.

🎤 Celebrity 🎼 Music

Maude Bancroft (Frances Gifford)

The Bancroft daughter who adds a layer of social intrigue and rivalry over Cynthia’s marriage and Milvaine’s interest. She represents wealth and status in the hotel milieu.

👗 Wealth 🧭 Rivalry

J.P. Bancroft (Thurston Hall)

A wealthy tycoon whose presence highlights the moneyed backdrop of the hotel world. His influence amplifies the social stakes of Cynthia’s romance.

💼 Wealth 🏛️ Power

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:20

Major Themes – Thrill of a Romance (1945)

Explore the central themes of Thrill of a Romance (1945), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💞 Romance

Love drives the plot as Cynthia navigates a new marriage while drawn to a charismatic war hero. The relationship with her husband becomes complicated by longing and competing affections. The story examines whether romance can endure the pull of desire and social expectations.

🎭 Illusion

The world of romance at the Monte Belva Hotel is peppered with performances and surface glamour. Knudsen's lip-synched serenade and the public eye create an illusion of perfect love. The characters grapple with authentic feelings versus crafted personas.

💼 Status

Money, celebrity, and social standing frame the choices of the characters, from Bancroft’s wealth to the hotel’s opulence. The drama tests whether affection can override status-driven decisions and the expectations of a glamorous social circle.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:20

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Thrill of a Romance Summary

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Thrill of a Romance Summary

Thrill of a Romance Timeline

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Thrill of a Romance Timeline

More About Thrill of a Romance

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