John Lund

As socialite Tracy Lord prepares for her wedding to priggish George Kittredge at her Newport, Rhode Island estate, her ex-husband, millionaire song writer C. K. Dexter-Haven, organizes a jazz festival for the same weekend, using his neighboring home as a rehearsal hall. On the eve of her wedding, Tracy informs her precocious kid sister Caroline that she has not invited their father, Seth Lord, because he has left their mother for a chorus girl. Soon after, when Tracy hears Dexter play her and Dexter's favorite tune, she runs to Dexter's and accuses him of setting up the festival to disrupt her wedding. Dexter confesses he is still in love with her, but reminds Tracy that she left him because her expectations for him differed from his own. Tracy retorts that instead of becoming a respected composer, Dexter has lowered himself to being a "jukebox hero," and leaves. Back at the Lords', Uncle Willie calls to tell Tracy's mother, Mrs. Lord, that Spy magazine will withhold a slanderous article about Seth's affair in exchange for being allowed to send reporter Mike Connor and photographer Liz Imbrie to cover Tracy's high-society wedding. To appease her mother who fears for the family's reputation, Tracy agrees to the blackmail, but she and Caroline greet Mike and Liz, who arrive shortly after, with exaggeratedly gauche mannerisms and interrogate them about their lives, while avoiding any questions about their father. Soon after, George and Dexter arrive at the Lord house, prompting Liz to request a photograph of Tracy standing between her past and future husbands. Tracy reluctantly agrees, but later intentionally knocks the camera over, ruining the film. Tired of the reporter's constant badgering about her father, Tracy introduces her Uncle Willie as "papa" when he arrives at the house. The family goes along with the lie and when Seth arrives, they call him "Uncle Willie." Later, as they peruse tables filled with extravagant, impractical wedding gifts, Mike and Liz confide that they would rather have true happiness than be married into a wealthy, but obviously dysfunctional family. Later at the pool, Dexter suggests to Tracy that she soften her expectations of George to ensure a happy union and notes that she has little tolerance for "human frailty." Later alone, Tracy unwraps Dexter's wedding gift, the model of their honeymoon yacht, and fondly remembers the first few romantic weeks of her and Dexter's marriage. Suddenly, George interrupts her reverie to promise unfailing adoration of his "goddess." Upset that she might be seen as distant, Tracy demands that she be treated as a real woman. When Tracy later confronts her father about his affair, Seth supposes that his philandering is an attempt to maintain his youth and suggests that Tracy is partially to blame for refusing to show him any affection. Distraught by the day's events, a drunken Tracy takes Mike on a drive to tell him that his presumptions about the Newport upper class are unfair. As they stop at Uncle Willie's house for a drink, Tracy admits she has been sheltered by wealth, while an enamored Mike insists that Tracy needs only the right man to "fire her heart." Although her inhibitions are diminished by alcohol, Tracy flees the room when Mike tries to embrace her. After returning to the house, Tracy overhears Dexter sing a love song for his "Samantha," her nickname, rekindling her attraction to him. Later at the bachelor ball held at Willie's house, Dexter, Louis Armstrong and his band entertain the crowd with jazz, while George insists that Tracy sleep off her drunkenness alone in a parlor. Meanwhile, Mike wanders into a study, where he shares glass after glass of champagne with Dexter until the men break into song about the "swell party," mocking the haughty crowd. Later, Tracy climbs out the parlor window and joins Mike on a walk back to the Lords' house, where Mike tells her that she is a "flesh and blood" woman. After embracing him, Tracy jumps into the pool, fully clothed and swooning at the compliment. While escorting Liz back to the Lords' house, Dexter asks her why she and Mike have not married, prompting the patient Liz to reply that Mike must first outgrow his love for Tracy. Meanwhile, George, having discovered Tracy missing, rushes to the Lords' house, where he, Dexter and Liz witness a woozy Mike carrying Tracy back from the pool, both soaking from a swim. Horrified by what he assumes is a case of infidelity, George prepares to take a swing at Mike, but Dexter jumps in and punches him instead, hoping he has saved Mike from a savage blow of the truly jealous groom. The next morning, as dozens of wedding guests arrive, Tracy is so hung over that she has forgotten the previous evening's escapade. When she asks Mike about the night, he tells her only that he enjoyed himself. In a moment alone, a guilt-ridden Tracy asks advice from Dexter, who suggests that a mistake can sometimes help a couple learn. Soon after Mike and Liz announce they are through with dirty journalism and so will not to publish the story, George arrives and proclaims that he is undecided about continuing the wedding. When Tracy cannot provide an explanation for the previous evening, Mike informs the worried groom that the "affair" consisted of only two kisses and a swim, prompting Tracy to accuse Mike of thinking her too "unattractive and distant" to sleep with. After Mike tells her he did not want to take advantage of her drunken state, George, now full of self-righteousness, tells Tracy he can forgive this one mistake. Tracy, realizing the larger mistake is marrying George, tells her fiance that she "couldn't bear a perfect man." As George marches off and the processional music begins, Tracy, at a loss for words, seeks Dexter's coaching to address the awaiting crowd. As she repeats his phrasing unthinkingly, Tracy parrots that she eloped with Dexter two years ago and then announces she will now marry him in a full ceremony. Tracy turns to Dexter, ecstatic at his off handed proposal, and then thanks her father for helping her become more human. Meanwhile, Mike and Liz, inspired by the turn of events, decide to marry, as a jazzed-up version of the processional begins again.

When an imaginative girl has fantasies that her mother is having an affair, her visions almost ruin her parents domestic life. Based on the play "Alice Sit By The Fire" by James M. Barrie. In turn-of-the-century New York, a young girl who believes that she has learned "the seamy side of life" from a risqué play takes it upon herself to rescue her estranged mother from what appears to be a steamy love affair. Based on James M. Barrie's play "Alice Sit-by-the-Fire." —Molly Malloy <mailcall@ansel.intersource.com>

En route to Hollywood, singer Steve, his partner Seymour and fiancée Jane, Jane's airheaded roommate Irma, and Irma's con artist fiancé Al have a series of misadventures and end up involved with a murderous gang. In this sequel film, all the characters remain the same; Al is still unemployed, Jane still has show-biz aspirations for boyfriend Steve; Steve and Seymour are still partners, and Irma is still Irma, which isn't all that easy. Al gets Steve a singing job on television, which is seen by a Hollywood producer. He signs Steve to a long term movie contract, and all hands depart for Hollywood. But, alas, the producer turns out to be an escaped lunatic, and they end up in Las Vegas, where Irma manages to get kidnapped by gangsters, who are very unhappy with Irma. —Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net> A delusional escaped mental patient convinces crooner Steve Laird that he's a Hollywood producer and signs him to a bogus studio contract. A jubilant Steve and his entourage; friend Seymour, con-artist agent Al, fiance Jane, and Jane's room mate Irma, the prototypical dumb blonde, speed across the country to California. They learn the truth before finishing their journey in Las Vegas, but not before Steve becomes entangled with a sexy French actress, Seymour gets involved with a chimpanzee, Al goes into the rug business with a millionaire Indian, and Irma is kidnapped by gangsters after she inadvertently sabotages one of their rigged roulette wheels. —Gabe Taverney (duke1029@aol.com)

In a New York City apartment building, pregnant Helen Ferguson is knocking repeatedly at her ex-boyfriend's door. Steve Morley is inside with his new girlfriend, Irma, and won't open the door. Trying not to attract attention, Helen pleads for Steve's help. At last he slides an envelope under the door. It contains train tickets to San Francisco, which is Helen's hometown, and some money. Obviously he doesn't intend to do the right thing and marry Helen. In her haste to get away, she loses the money. Irma warns Steve that he had better not try to get rid of her that way. The train is crowded and Helen is forced to sit on her suitcase. A well-dressed young woman sees her and nudges her husband to give Helen his seat. She gratefully accepts and the two strike up a conversation. Her new friend is Patrice Harkness, who is also pregnant. She and her husband Hugh are traveling to the midwest to live with his family. Patrice is nervous about meeting them for the first time. She wouldn't even let Hugh send them a picture so they have no idea what she looks like. Patrice also mentions that she has no family left. Helen makes up a story about being widowed, which earns her Patrice's sympathy. When the dining car opens, Patrice and Hugh invite Helen to be their guest at dinner, sensing that she has very little money. In fact, all she has left is thirty-seven cents. Later, Patrice and Helen are in the washroom preparing for bed. Patrice shows Helen her wedding ring, which has their names engraved on the inside. Since she has cold cream on her hands, she gives Helen the ring to hold. Helen slips it onto her own finger. Just then the train gives a lurch and leaves the tracks. The women tumble to the floor and the last thing Helen hears is Patrice screaming for Hugh. Some time later, Helen half-regains consciousness in a hospital. The accident has caused her to go into labor and a c-section must be performed. She is delivered of a healthy son. When she wakes up, the first thing she notices are the beautiful flowers by her bedside and wonders who sent them. The nurse comes in and calls her Mrs. Harkness. Helen is still wearing Patrice's ring and realizes that they think she is Patrice. She tries to protest but is too weak. Her condition improves and the doctor is pleased. But he must break the news to her that her husband did not survive. Again Helen protests that there has been a mistake, she has to make them understand. But the doctor gives her a sedative, assuming that she is in denial about her husband's death. Wanting to ask about Patrice, Helen tells the nurse that there was another woman with her in the washroom. The nurse says they have no identification for her, only a worn purse with thirty-seven cents inside. She asks Helen if she had only met the woman on the train and Helen says yes. Unfortunately, the woman and her baby died in the accident. Helen is too frightened to tell the truth. A letter arrives from Hugh's mother, along with some beautiful baby clothes and more flowers. Mrs. Harkness writes that she is so looking forward to finally meeting Patrice. Due to ill health, she cannot come to the hospital. When Patrice is strong enough to travel, she will be put on the train and her in-laws will meet her at the other end. Wanting to provide for her son, Helen assumes Patrice's identity. Her in-laws welcome her warmly and she settles into the family. But it is not easy. Hugh's brother Bill shows up. Helen didn't know he had a brother and he reminds her that they met at the hospital. She explains that she was not fully conscious and that's why she doesn't remember him. Mrs. Harkness, who has a heart condition, brings Helen a box of Hugh's pictures. But they mean nothing to Helen because she is not Patrice. Life at the Harkness mansion is much easier than the life Helen knew in New York. She doesn't have to work and it is evident that the family means to provide for her and the child, whom Helen has named Hugh Jr. But she cannot avoid slips of the tongue, including not recognizing Hugh's favorite song, causing Bill to grow suspicious. Christmas is coming up and Bill asks Helen to meet him downtown to choose a gift for his father. They decide to get him a fountain pen and Bill suggests that Helen sign her name to see how it writes. She starts to write Helen Ferguson, then crosses it out and writes Patrice Harkness. That night, Bill decides to tell his father of his suspicions. But before he can do so, his mother remarks how fond she has grown of Patrice. Both parents dote on their grandson. Realizing this, Bill decides to let the matter drop. Then Helen receives a letter, unsigned, with a message asking what she is doing there. She is terrified that someone has found her out. Bill asks her to go with him to the Country Club dance and his mother urges her to accept. It is time she got on with her life and started seeing people again. Helen reluctantly agrees to go, even after another letter arrives. At the dance, Helen is horrified to see her former boyfriend and the father of her child, Steve Morley. He introduces himself to Bill and asks to dance with Helen. After a few minutes of dancing, he steers her outside. When the train accident occurred, he went to identify Helen's body. But the dead woman that bore her name tag was not her. Steve made inquiries and figured out what happened. Now he wants money for his silence. Once he has it, he will leave and she'll never see him again. Helen realizes she will have to pay him but she has no money of her own. After a hint at the dinner table, she is given her own checking account. She and Steve meet at the train station. He takes her check but does not leave as she expected. He puts it in an envelope addressed to Mr. Harkness, along with the rent receipts from when he and Helen lived together back in New York. Unless she goes along with the next part of his plan, he will mail the envelope. His plan is for them to get married, giving him access to any money the Harkness parents leave to Patrice. He knows Mrs. Harkness is very ill and figures the old man will not long survive her. Helen has no choice but to agree. Steve laughingly reminds her that at one time she was desperate to marry him. Steve and Helen drive through snowy weather to the justice of the peace in the next town. Helen breaks down and declares she cannot go through with it, so Steve places a call to the Harkness home. Mrs. Harkness, confined to her bedroom, answers the phone and overhears Helen pleading with Steve. The connection is broken but Bill manages to have the call traced. He sets out to rescue Helen but runs his car off the icy road. Meanwhile, Helen marries Steve. Helen decides her only hope of escape is to kill Steve. When he drops her off, she take a gun from a drawer in the Harkness home. Bill follows her to the downtown building where Steve has taken a room. When Helen enters the room, she sees Steve sprawled on the bed. She tells him to wake up but he doesn't move. She fires the gun but realizes he is already dead. Someone else has shot him. Bill pounds on the door, demanding to be let in. Helen tries to keep him out but he forces his way inside. Assuming that Helen has shot and killed Steve, he takes the gun and asks if there is anything to link the two. He finds the marriage license but the check has disappeared. Helen tries to explain but Bill doesn't believe that she didn't kill Steve. Now they must get rid of his body so there will be no link to the Harkness family. He drags Steve to his car and puts him in the back seat. They drive out of town to a bridge over a railroad. Bill knows that a train will be coming along shortly. He rolls Steve's body off the bridge and it lands in an open car. The train is going out of town and hopefully the body won't be discovered for a while. Afterwards, they sit in the car and Helen tells Bill everything. He told her he had known for a long time that she was not Patrice but didn't want to upset his mother by outing her. When they return home, the doctor is there and Mrs. Harkness is dying. Helen is momentarily left alone with her and confesses how much she loves Mrs. Harkness. That much is true. Somehow she senses that Mrs. Harkness knows she is not Patrice but it doesn't matter now. Mrs. Harkness dies and Helen and Bill decide to marry. Unfortunately, Steve's body is discovered and traced back to the Harkness family. The police arrive to question Bill and Helen on the day of the funeral. Bill makes up a story about how Steve was a gambling acquaintance of Hugh's from his college days. He showed up to get money from Patrice to cover the debts Hugh had owed. Beyond that, Bill and Helen know nothing about him or how he died. The police seemingly accept this story but warn them that they may be questioned again. Bill and Helen -- who has decided to remain Patrice -- marry but they are not happy. Each of them thinks the other killed Steve. In a voice over, Patrice says that one day she will leave Bill or he will leave her. Then they get a phone call that the police are on their way over. Before they can decide what to say, the housekeeper brings them a letter from Mrs. Harkness. Her instructions were to give it to them if the police came. Inside is a written confession from Mrs. Harkness, stating that she killed Steve Morley because he was threatening her daughter-in-law. Bill and Patrice are horrified and realize instantly that she has done this to protect them. Patrice says she will gladly confess so there will be no stigma attached to the only mother she ever knew. Bill tears up the letter and says he will confess. Then the police arrive. They have the check Patrice wrote. Irma, Steve's girlfriend, had killed him, taken the check, and tried to cash it. Bill and Patrice realize they are free and can be happy now since neither is a murderer.

A female Borgia is sent out to live up to the family name by killing someone, but falls in love with her intended victim. The tiny independent duchy of Ferrara is located between Casare Borgia's Rome and Venice, and Borgia has plans to conquer Venice via Ferrara. He murders his sister's husband and makes it appear that Alfonso D'Este of Ferrara was behind the killing. To avenge herself against Ferrara and D'Este, Lucretia Borgia marries D'Este and intends to poison him. But...she falls in love with him. —Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>