Woman Chases Man (1937) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film is set primarily at Nolan Heights, a glossy housing development created by B.J. Nolan, with the action centered in B.J.'s opulent mansion. The story also involves a bank and various formal social settings where the characters' financial schemes and romantic pursuits unfold.

• nolan heights
• setting
• mansion
• location

Woman Chases Man is set in the 1930s, reflecting the era of classic screwball comedies that blended romance with wealth, chicanery, and social maneuvering. The film's tone and fast-paced, witty plot structure embody the distinctive style of 1930s cinema.

• 1930s
• era
• time period
• screwball comedy

Nolan Heights is the central housing development in the film, dreamed up and promoted by B.J. Nolan. It represents the ambitious project that drives much of the plot, as characters scheme to secure funding for this development through romantic and financial manipulation.

• nolan heights
• housing development
• project

The film explores three interconnected themes: Romance, as Virginia and Kenneth navigate genuine feelings amid their deceptions; Wealth, as money and financial schemes drive the plot's central conflict; and Deception, as characters masquerade as servants and adopt false identities to manipulate situations.

• themes
• romance
• wealth
• deception

Characters adopt elaborate disguises and false identities, Virginia's allies masquerade as B.J.'s servants, to pry money from Kenneth. The film toys with appearances versus reality, using these deceptions to create both humor and tension before ultimately revealing that genuine feelings trump the pretenses.

• deception
• disguises
• masquerade
• schemes

Kenneth Nolan is the wealthy, confident son of B.J. Nolan who becomes entangled in his father's financial schemes and Virginia's romantic ploy. Initially signing away small sums, he is drawn to Virginia and eventually embraces both her and the housing project, choosing genuine affection over financial arrangements.

• kenneth nolan
• character
• protagonist

Virginia Travis is an architect portrayed by Miriam Hopkins who uses her charm to drum up funding for the Nolan Heights project. She begins by manipulating Kenneth but grows conflicted as she develops genuine feelings for him, shifting from manipulation to sincere affection.

• virginia travis
• character
• architect

B.J. Nolan is the veteran schemer portrayed by Charles Winninger who has a track record of ambitious, sometimes flaky projects. Lacking personal funds, he relies on others to pursue his grand vision for Nolan Heights, pushing a farcical plan forward throughout the film.

• b.j. nolan
• character
• schemer

Money serves as the central engine driving the plot, a huge check, a lucrative housing project, and the social stakes of marrying for money all propel the action. Wealth creates power dynamics that characters manipulate with wit and cunning, though ultimately the pursuit of money clashes with true affection.

• money
• wealth
• check
• financial schemes

Nina Tennyson is Kenneth's girlfriend in the film, but she is revealed as a classical golddigger who is truly after his money rather than his affection. Her presence increases the stakes of the romance and deception, creating additional conflict in the web of schemes.

• nina tennyson
• character
• golddigger

Woman Chases Man follows the screwball comedy genre conventions popular in the 1930s, featuring rapid-fire dialogue, romantic entanglements, elaborate schemes, and misunderstandings. The film blends farcical situations with romantic pursuits, creating a light, witty tone typical of the era.

• screwball comedy
• genre
• 1930s cinema

The film has a distinctly light, comedic tone characterized by witty dialogue, playful deceptions, and rapid-fire exchanges. While touching briefly on financial desperation, the story quickly pivots to comedic and romantic pursuits, maintaining an optimistic feel throughout.

• tone
• comedy
• lighthearted
• witty