Deep Archive Finds in the Vein of Jimmy and Sally: Cult Guide

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The Jimmy and Sally Phenomenon

As a pivotal work in United States cinema, Jimmy and Sally to capture the existential zeitgeist of 1933.

Happy-go-lucky Jimmy O'Connor, a publicist for the Marlowe Meat Packing Company, continually relies on Sally Johnson, his secretary and sweetheart, to keep him organized and do his work when he neglects it. She has the idea to publicize E. W. Marlowe's products as producing courage and power, and Jimmy relates the idea to Marlowe. Impressed with Jimmy's slogan--"Eat Meat and Rule the World"--Marlowe agrees to let him organize a circus to be broadcast on the radio from the Marlowe department store's window. Despite the objections of Ralph Andrews, a fellow publicist who is in love with Sally, Jimmy hosts the stunt, and it goes awry when an elephant is scared by a mouse and wreaks havoc. Marlowe fires Jimmy the next day, but is forced to rehire him as the publicity agent of his mistress, Pola Wenski, when Jimmy finds out about the illicit relationship. Jimmy escorts Pola home to celebrate and spends the night on her couch after he passes out. Sally is infuriated by what she considers to be yet another example of Jimmy's insensitivity, and the couple squabble when he reappears. He tells her to listen to the radio to hear his latest brainstorm, and when she does, Sally is aghast to learn that Jimmy is publicizing Pola by spreading the story that she is in love with an unnamed notorious gangster whom she has never met. That night, Pola's nightclub is packed with gangsters, all hoping to be the beloved of the pretty singer, and Pola becomes enamored of tough Slug Morgan. Slug's men throw Jimmy and Marlowe out of the club, and Marlowe fires Jimmy once again. The next morning, Jimmy announces to Sally, who was at the club with Ralph during the incident, that he is opening his own agency and therefore needs nothing from Marlowe or her. Sally is then hired by Marlowe to fill Jimmy's old job, and as her success grows, so do Jimmy's unpaid bills. Sally visits Jimmy in his office and, seeing that he is destitute, tries to give him an account, but the headstrong Jimmy refuses to accept. Sally reprimands Jimmy for being selfish and ungrateful, then says she is through with him. Jimmy moves to the West Coast, and, after weeks of looking for work, ends up as a meat packer at a company similar to Marlowe's. The weeks pass as he saves money and is humbled by his experiences. Meanwhile, Sally accepts Ralph's proposal of marriage, even though she admits she still loves Jimmy. One of Jimmy's co-workers tells him it is not too late to win Sally back, and Jimmy returns to the East Coast to start over. He first goes to Marlowe and asks for a job. Jimmy explains to Marlowe that he is not the smart aleck he once was, and Marlowe tells him to report to the head of the publicity department. Jimmy is surprised to find that Sally is the department head, but he assures her that he understands what he lost and that he will work hard to regain it. He is discouraged when he sees her engagement ring, but after Sally tells him not to give up so easily, he asks her to marry him and she accepts. The reunited couple kiss as Ralph walks into the office.

Deep Archive Finds in the Vein of Jimmy and Sally

Based on the unique artistic bravery of Jimmy and Sally, our vault has identified these titles as the most compelling follow-up experiences for fans of Comedy cinema:

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1. Mary's Ankle 1920

Dir: Lloyd Ingraham

While walking along the street one day, Arthur P. Hampton, an impoverished young doctor, and his chums, Stub Masters and Johnny Stokes, are persuaded to part with their last remaining funds by tag day solicitor Mary Jane Smith, with whom the doctor promptly falls in love. Doc's friends then hit upon a get-rich-quick scheme. Knowing that his Uncle George has promised a large sum of money upon his nephew's marriage, they persuade Doc to send out fake wedding invitations naming Mary Jane as the blushing bride. Uncle George, elated at the good news, writes to Mary Jane's aunt, Angelica Burns, an old sweetheart, to invite Mary Jane and Angelica to be his guests on an ocean voyage. Meanwhile, Mary Jane pays a visit to the doctor's office and, upon seeing the wedding invitations, becomes so flustered that she trips and sprains her ankle. Doc comes to her rescue and then begs her to pose as his wife. She agrees, but at ship-side, Stub and Johnnie confess all to Uncle George, who flies into a rage until Doc announces that he and Mary Jane have chosen a wedding at sea.

Film Title	Atmosphere	Complexity	Similarity
Mary's Ankle	Surreal	High	86% Match
The Parish Priest	Gothic	Linear	91% Match
The Deadlier Sex	Gothic	Layered	97% Match
Lunatics in Politics	Ethereal	Dense	97% Match
Homer Comes Home	Ethereal	Linear	93% Match

The Jimmy and Sally Phenomenon

Stylistic Legacy