Mary's Ankle

Summary

A penniless physician, Arthur P. Hampton, ambles down a sun-battered boulevard with his two scheming comrades when Mary Jane Smith—a silver-tongued tag-day siren—extorts their last nickels and, in the same breath, pickpockets the doctor’s heart. Smitten beyond solvency, Arthur learns that marriage unlocks a plump dowry from his miserly Uncle George; cue forged invitations, a hall of mirrors masquerading as romance, and Mary Jane’s literal stumble into the title role after a comic sprain. The ruse snowballs into an ocean-liner farce where duplicity, desire, and an aging aunt’s rekindled flame collide on the high seas until the only escape is a makeshift altar pitched against Atlantic winds.

Synopsis

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.