A boat docks which carries Melvyn Douglas, a painter. He is expecting the head of a gallery (Donald Meek) to look at his work, but the purser will not let him stay. Loy comes into his stateroom by mistake and kicks out Meek, thinking that the room belonged to someone else. She apologizes, and he forces her to go to Meek and explain. She pretends to be a competing gallery, and forces Meek to bid up the price considerably. Douglas then takes to her in appreciation. He tells her that he likes unsophisticated women, and is headed home to Ohio as soon as possible. At home, her younger sister (Bonita Granville), is all dressed up for a party, and Loy's date with Bowman got cancelled, so she plans a quiet evening at home. But after much hesitation she calls Douglas, pretending it was a mistake. Then Douglas calls her and asks her out. They have a big evening (she having taken off her wedding ring), and he cancels his plans to go home. The next evening Blackmer come to their table and mentions her husband, which makes things awkward. She explains that she does not love him and it was only a fling, but that getting a divorce would be awkward because he has disappeared. She describes him just like a waiter at the nightclub, but Douglas catches on. He says he has a friend in South America who can find him. She pretends she thinks he is silly, and leaves.
Douglas' inquiries come back negative. No marriage; no husband. He shows up at Loy's house pretending to be her husband, and that they have patched things up and intend to start over. Her father (Ramond Walburn) and Granville are taken with him. Loy comes home, tired out, to the big surprise. He blackmails her with the proof he has that she is not married, so she has to play along. She pretends she is in love with Bowman. But her father throws a dinner party for them. When they retire, she locks him on the patio, and it begins to rain, so she takes him a blanket. Next morning the battle is on. She wants a divorce, but he reminds her they cannot divorce because they are not married. So she says they will marry so they can divorce. Loy goes to Bowman for legal advice. She tells him the truth, and says it is because she loves him. Bowman goes to Douglas (who is treating his cold) and insists that he has to marry Loy so that she can divorce him and marry Bowman. Douglas refuses. But after Bowman spends the night helping him treat his cold (and drinking), he finally agrees.
They go to Niagara Falls and marry. The ministers' admonition sets them both to thinking. They have to kill four hours until the train back. At the falls they see another couple who are genuinely in love. They start arguing like a married couple. Then a tour group comes past, including some citizens from Douglas' home down in Ohio. Loy pretends to be a brash woman from Brooklyn. When she gets back to the office, she is depressed. She consults with Bressart, and the Bowman comes in. He has made arrangements for the trip to Reno for the divorce, and says Douglas needs to sign a property settlement. Douglas insists he is leaving for Ohio that night. Bressart suggests they take the same train and get him to sign there. They get into a lengthy legal discussion on the train. Douglas spends a lot of time looking at Loy and vice versa. Douglas learns that the porter (Earnest Whitman, with his deep, distinguished voice) has a little legal training, and brings him in as his legal advisor, thus drawing out the negotiations further. Finally, however, the document is finished, and they go to bed. Douglas finds their honeymoon picture in his suitcase and realizes that he loves Loy. He slips out and finds her on the passagway. When the train stops at Douglas' hometown, Loy has sent a wire ahead and announced they are coming in as husband and wife.
Earnest Whitman (Sam the porter) was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
More HERE about Fort Smith.
Bressart
Whitman
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