It's Only Money
Lester is a clumsy and awkward TV repair man who is nevertheless gifted technically. In helping out a friend, he is drawn into a mystery involving a missing heir in a rich family. He begins to notice little things, like how much those family portraits look like him. Surely..no..he can't be...can he ?
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Lester March
Cecilia Albright
Pete Flint
Mr. Groton
Mr. Prindle
Main Cast & Characters
Lester March
Played by Jerry Lewis
A bumbling TV repairman and electronics expert who discovers he's heir to a fortune
Cecilia Albright
Played by Joan O'Brien
Lester's love interest and private detective secretary who helps him navigate his inheritance troubles
Pete Flint
Played by Zachary Scott
A private detective and Lester's friend who investigates the mysterious circumstances around the inheritance
Mr. Groton
Played by Jack Weston
The sinister lawyer and executor of the estate who plots to prevent Lester from claiming his inheritance
Mr. Prindle
Played by Jesse White
A suspicious character involved in the conspiracy against Lester
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Lester March works as a TV repairman, daydreaming about becoming a private detective while fumbling through his mundane job, establishing his lovable incompetence and unfulfilled aspirations.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Pete reveals to Lester that the missing DeWitt heir could be him based on the timeline and circumstances of his orphan origins, suddenly giving Lester a chance at both fortune and identity.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Lester decides to fully commit to investigating his identity, entering the wealthy world of the DeWitt estate and beginning his amateur detective work to prove he's the rightful heir., moving from reaction to action.
At 42 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Evidence emerges strongly suggesting Lester truly is the DeWitt heir, a false victory as this confirmation intensifies the killers' determination to eliminate him before he can claim the fortune., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 62 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Lester is captured by the villains who reveal their plan to kill him, and it appears all hope is lost as he's trapped with no escape, his dreams of identity and fortune seemingly dying with him., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 66 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Lester uses his extensive knowledge of electronics and TV repair, the skill he always undervalued, to escape his captors and turn their own gadgets against them, embracing his true talents., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
It's Only Money's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping It's Only Money against these established plot points, we can identify how Frank Tashlin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish It's Only Money within the comedy genre.
Frank Tashlin's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Frank Tashlin films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. It's Only Money exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Frank Tashlin filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Frank Tashlin analyses, see The Geisha Boy, Rock-a-Bye Baby and Hollywood or Bust.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Lester March works as a TV repairman, daydreaming about becoming a private detective while fumbling through his mundane job, establishing his lovable incompetence and unfulfilled aspirations.
Theme
Pete Flint tells Lester that a real detective needs to know who he really is before he can find anyone else, foreshadowing Lester's journey to discover his true identity.
Worldbuilding
The setup establishes Lester's world as a hapless TV repairman who idolizes his detective friend Pete, his comedic struggles with technology, and the introduction of the DeWitt family's search for a missing heir worth millions.
Disruption
Pete reveals to Lester that the missing DeWitt heir could be him based on the timeline and circumstances of his orphan origins, suddenly giving Lester a chance at both fortune and identity.
Resistance
Lester debates whether to pursue the investigation into his possible inheritance, while Pete guides him through the initial detective work and they gather clues about the DeWitt family and the missing heir.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Lester decides to fully commit to investigating his identity, entering the wealthy world of the DeWitt estate and beginning his amateur detective work to prove he's the rightful heir.
Mirror World
Lester meets Wanda Paxton, the attractive assistant helping with the heir search, creating a romantic subplot that will teach him his worth isn't measured by money but by who he truly is inside.
Premise
The promise of the premise delivers as Lester bumbles through the DeWitt mansion, encounters electronic gadgets that malfunction hilariously around him, and narrowly escapes assassination attempts while playing detective.
Midpoint
Evidence emerges strongly suggesting Lester truly is the DeWitt heir, a false victory as this confirmation intensifies the killers' determination to eliminate him before he can claim the fortune.
Opposition
The villains escalate their murder attempts using increasingly elaborate methods including armies of robotic lawnmowers and electronic traps, while Lester's incompetence inadvertently keeps saving him.
Collapse
Lester is captured by the villains who reveal their plan to kill him, and it appears all hope is lost as he's trapped with no escape, his dreams of identity and fortune seemingly dying with him.
Crisis
Lester faces his darkest moment, bound and awaiting death, forced to confront that his worth as a person matters more than any inheritance, while his friends desperately search for him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Lester uses his extensive knowledge of electronics and TV repair, the skill he always undervalued, to escape his captors and turn their own gadgets against them, embracing his true talents.
Synthesis
The finale unfolds as Lester outwits the villains using electronic devices, the police arrive to arrest the murderous relatives, and Lester's identity as the true heir is officially confirmed.
Transformation
Lester, now wealthy but unchanged in character, is with Wanda and friends, having learned that his identity and worth came from within all along, not from the money he's inherited.