''Rings on Her Fingers'' is a 1942 American

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

directed by

Rouben Mamoulian Rouben Zachary Mamoulian ( ; hy, Ռուբէն Մամուլեան; October 8, 1897 – December 4, 1987) was an American film and theatre director. Early life Mamoulian was born in Tiflis, Russian Empire, to a family of Armenian descent. H ...

and starring Henry Fonda and

Gene Tierney Gene Eliza Tierney (November 19, 1920 – November 6, 1991) was an American film and stage actress. Acclaimed for her great beauty, she became established as a leading lady. Tierney was best known for her portrayal of the title character in the ...

. The screenplay concerns a poor man who gets mistaken for a millionaire and is swindled out of his life savings.

Plot

Susan Miller (

) works as a girdle salesgirl in a large department store. She dreams of living on "the other side", among the rich. An elderly woman, calling herself Mrs. Maybelle Worthington (

Spring Byington Spring Dell Byington (October 17, 1886 – September 7, 1971) was an American actress. Her career included a seven-year run on radio and television as the star of ''December Bride''. She was a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract player who appeared in ...

), comes to buy some underwear. She is actually a professional swindler. Her partner Warren (

Laird Cregar Samuel Laird Cregar (July 28, 1913December 9, 1944) was an American stage and film actor. Cregar was best known for his villainous performances in films such as ''I Wake Up Screaming'' (1941) and '' The Lodger'' (1944). Cregar's screen career ...

) meets her at the department store, and reports that her "daughter" (a partner in their schemes) has run away to get married. They notice that Susan resembles the "daughter", and ask her to impersonate the missing girl at their party that evening. Susan sees an opportunity to experience life among the rich, and wear the expensive clothes she could never afford. From that day on, Susan becomes "Linda Worthington" and accompanies "Mother Worthington" and "Uncle Warren" in their travels. They use her to attract marriageable young rich men, whom they swindle. One day in Southern California, they encounter John Wheeler ( Henry Fonda), and overhear his plan to buy a yacht for $15,000. They take him for a millionaire, and use "Linda" to lure him into one of their swindles. But John is actually an accountant, who has carefully saved the $15,000 out of his limited income. This time Susan/Linda falls in love with the intended victim, and it's hard for them to find their way to happiness.

Cast

* Henry Fonda as John Wheeler *

as Susan Miller / "Linda Worthington" *

as Warren *

as Mrs. Maybelle Worthington * Shepperd Strudwick as Tod Fenwick (as John Shepperd) *

Frank Orth Frank Orth (February 21, 1880 – March 17, 1962) was an American actor born in Philadelphia. He is probably best remembered for his portrayal of Inspector Faraday in the 1951-1953 television series '' Boston Blackie''. Career By 1897, Ort ...

as Kellogg * Henry Stephenson as Colonel Prentiss *

Marjorie Gateson Marjorie Augusta Gateson (January 17, 1891 – April 17, 1977) was an American stage and film actress. Biography Gateson was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Augusta and Daniel Gateson. Her maternal grandfather and brother were clergymen; So ...

as Mrs. Fenwick * George Lessey as Fenwick Sr. * Iris Adrian as Peggy * Harry Hayden as Conductor * Clara Blandick as Mrs. Beasley *

Charles C. Wilson Charles Cahill Wilson (July 29, 1894 – January 7, 1948) was an American screen and stage actor. He appeared in numerous films during the Golden Age of Hollywood from the late 1920s to late 1940s. Biography Born in New York City in 1894, the ...

as Captain Hurley *

Gwendolyn Logan Gwendolyn Logan was a British-born American actress and screenwriter. Career Born in Bellary, British India, she co-wrote the 1916 British film '' East Is East'', and the 1920 American film, ''A Tokyo Siren''. Acting roles included an uncredite ...

as Miss Calahan

Reception

The film recorded a loss of $14,100.

References

External links

* * * {{Rouben Mamoulian 1942 films 1942 romantic comedy films 1940s screwball comedy films 20th Century Fox films American black-and-white films American crime comedy films American romantic comedy films American screwball comedy films Films about con artists Films directed by Rouben Mamoulian Films scored by Cyril J. Mockridge Films scored by Leigh Harline Films set in California Films set in Connecticut 1940s American films