We’re in the Money (1935) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set in the 1930s United States, a period known for glamorous show business and evolving social norms. The story's setting aligns with the era's lighthearted, fast-paced farce style, featuring elements like nightclubs, yachts, and a courtroom caper that were typical of mid-1930s screwball comedies.

• 1930s
• 1930s america
• setting era
• time period
• screwball comedy era

The breach-of-promise lawsuit is the central legal conflict driving the plot. The plaintiff Claire LeClaire sues wealthy C. Richard Courtney for breaking a marriage promise, seeking damages for damaged reputation. The case sets the entire comic maze in motion, with the subpoenas for this lawsuit being the job that Ginger and Dixie must deliver.

• breach of promise lawsuit
• legal case
• court case
• subpoenas

The movie explores three main themes: Romance, which complicates the scheme as Ginger and Courtney fall for each other while hiding their true identities; Disguise, where masquerade and mistaken identity drive the humor as characters hide identities to manipulate the situation; and Legal Farce, using the breach-of-promise case as a springboard for farcical misunderstandings and romantic complications.

• themes
• romance
• disguise
• legal farce
• masquerade
• mistaken identity

Ginger Stewart (played by Joan Blondell) is a quick-witted process server who uses charm and nerve to navigate both subpoenas and social intrigue. She is bold, resourceful, and capable of turning tense moments into clever ploys. Her growing romance with Courtney tests her loyalty to professional duty as she becomes emotionally involved with the very person she is supposed to serve.

• ginger stewart
• joan blondell
• process server
• main character

C. Richard Courtney is the wealthy defendant in the breach-of-promise lawsuit who falls for Ginger while posing as a chauffeur. He is resourceful but conflicted between fear and love, ultimately grappling with whether to escape the legal consequences or face them. His ignorance of Ginger's knowledge as the process server adds tension to their developing romance.

• c richard courtney
• ross alexander
• defendant
• wealthy character

Homer Bronson is the eccentric lawyer who engineers the entire scheme, orchestrating the delivery of subpoenas and even creating a fake photograph to advance his case. His bumbling confidence masks a sharp, calculating mind as he manipulates others to advance his legal strategy. He provokes the central conflict by blurring truth and profit, driving the farcical plot forward.

• homer bronson
• hugh herbert
• lawyer
• scheme
• attorney

Disguise and mistaken identity are central to the comedy, with Ginger and Courtney hiding their true identities to manipulate the subpoenas and trial. Ginger doesn't know her love interest is the lawsuit target, while he doesn't know she's the process server. The humor hinges on how these disguises unravel at crucial moments, revealing loyalties and true feelings. The comedy plays with appearance versus reality throughout.

• disguise
• mistaken identity
• appearance vs reality
• masquerade
• secret identity

We're in the Money is a Comedy, Music, and Romance film from 1935 that fits squarely in the screwball comedy genre. The tone is light and playful, driven by escalating comic incidents from serving a subpoena during a wrestling match to a dramatic motorboat rescue. The film balances musical numbers from the nightclub setting with romantic complications and legal misunderstandings.

• comedy
• musical
• romance
• screwball comedy
• 1935 film
• genre

Dixie Tilton (played by Glenda Farrell) is Ginger's brash, loyal partner in the process-serving business. Together they navigate the subpoenas as a team, with Dixie bringing humor and persistence to the job. While she sometimes misreads situations, she remains supportive and bold, highlighting the lighter side of the caper while standing by Ginger throughout the adventure.

• dixie tilton
• glenda farrell
• process server
• partners
• team

The story unfolds in the United States during the 1930s, featuring various settings typical of the era including a lawyer's office, wealthy estates, a nightclub, and a courtroom. The plot moves between these locations as the characters pursue the subpoenas and navigate the legal labyrinth, with a yacht and various social venues adding to the glamorous backdrop.

• setting
• united states
• locations
• america
• 1930s settings

Claire LeClaire is the plaintiff in the breach-of-promise case against C. Richard Courtney. She is a figure of wealth whose relationship with Courtney kickstarts the legal plot. As the wronged fiancée, she represents the social status and public reputation stakes that make the lawsuit so significant, potentially becoming an obstacle for the developing romance between Ginger and Courtney.

• claire leclaire
• plaintiff
• breach of promise
• fiancee