Lover Come Back
Jerry Webster and Carol Templeton are rival Madison Avenue advertising executives who each dislike each other’s methods. After he steals a client out from under her cute little nose, revenge prompts her to infiltrate his secret "VIP" campaign in order to persuade the mystery product’s scientist to switch to her firm.
The film earned $16.9M at the global box office.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 2 wins & 5 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Lover Come Back (1961) exemplifies precise story structure, characteristic of Delbert Mann's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Carol Templeton
Jerry Webster
Dr. Linus Tyler
Rebel Davis
Peter Ramsey
J. Paxton Miller
Main Cast & Characters
Carol Templeton
Played by Doris Day
Hardworking, principled advertising executive who plays by the rules and resents her unethical competitor Jerry Webster.
Jerry Webster
Played by Rock Hudson
Charming, unscrupulous ad executive who uses women and deception to land clients, then impersonates a scientist to win Carol.
Dr. Linus Tyler
Played by Jack Oakie
Brilliant but absent-minded chemist who accidentally invents VIP, the non-existent product Jerry invented as a hoax.
Rebel Davis
Played by Edie Adams
Jerry's wise and sardonic secretary who disapproves of his unethical methods but remains loyal.
Peter Ramsey
Played by Jack Kruschen
Carol's boss and president of the Ramsey Advertising Agency, supportive but exasperated by the escalating situation.
J. Paxton Miller
Played by Tony Randall
The head of the Advertising Council who investigates Jerry's unethical practices after Carol's complaint.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jerry Webster entertains clients with showgirls and parties, establishing his unethical but successful advertising methods. Carol Templeton works diligently at her desk, representing the ethical competitor.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Jerry faces serious consequences when Carol's complaints threaten his career. To save himself, he invents a fake product campaign called "VIP" as a cover story for his expenses.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Jerry makes the active choice to impersonate Dr. Linus Tyler and meet Carol personally, entering a new world of deception mixed with genuine romantic connection., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: Jerry and Carol's romance deepens genuinely, but the stakes raise when the real Dr. Tyler creates an actual VIP product (a potent mint), forcing Jerry to actually market it and deepening his deception., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Carol discovers Jerry's deception and true identity. The relationship dies as she realizes she's been manipulated by the very man she was competing against. Her trust and love are shattered., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jerry has a realization: he must pursue Carol with genuine honesty and sincerity rather than manipulation. He chooses authentic pursuit over his old playboy tactics, synthesizing what he learned about integrity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Lover Come Back's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Lover Come Back against these established plot points, we can identify how Delbert Mann utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Lover Come Back within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jerry Webster entertains clients with showgirls and parties, establishing his unethical but successful advertising methods. Carol Templeton works diligently at her desk, representing the ethical competitor.
Theme
At the Advertising Council hearing, Carol states: "There are some things more important than winning." The theme of integrity versus success is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Establish the Madison Avenue advertising world, Jerry's playboy tactics winning clients, Carol's ethical approach, the rivalry between their agencies, and the Advertising Council complaints against Jerry.
Disruption
Jerry faces serious consequences when Carol's complaints threaten his career. To save himself, he invents a fake product campaign called "VIP" as a cover story for his expenses.
Resistance
Jerry debates how to handle the VIP situation and Carol's investigation. He hires Dr. Linus Tyler to create an actual product. Carol becomes obsessed with discovering what VIP is, driving the competitive tension.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jerry makes the active choice to impersonate Dr. Linus Tyler and meet Carol personally, entering a new world of deception mixed with genuine romantic connection.
Mirror World
The romantic relationship between Jerry (as "Dr. Tyler") and Carol begins. This B-story will teach Jerry about genuine connection versus manipulation, embodying the theme of authenticity.
Premise
The fun romantic comedy premise plays out: Jerry courts Carol while maintaining his false identity, Carol falls for the "humble scientist," and comedic complications arise from maintaining the dual identity.
Midpoint
False victory: Jerry and Carol's romance deepens genuinely, but the stakes raise when the real Dr. Tyler creates an actual VIP product (a potent mint), forcing Jerry to actually market it and deepening his deception.
Opposition
Jerry's lies become harder to maintain as Carol wants to marry "Dr. Tyler." The VIP product launch creates pressure. Rebel Davis and others close in. Jerry's genuine feelings conflict with his deception.
Collapse
Carol discovers Jerry's deception and true identity. The relationship dies as she realizes she's been manipulated by the very man she was competing against. Her trust and love are shattered.
Crisis
Jerry realizes he's lost the woman he genuinely loves through his own dishonesty. Carol processes her heartbreak and betrayal. Both face the consequences of Jerry's unethical approach to business and life.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jerry has a realization: he must pursue Carol with genuine honesty and sincerity rather than manipulation. He chooses authentic pursuit over his old playboy tactics, synthesizing what he learned about integrity.
Synthesis
Jerry pursues Carol honestly. Through comedic complications involving the VIP product's intoxicating effects and a hasty wedding, Jerry proves his genuine transformation and love. Carol recognizes his change and forgives him.
Transformation
Jerry and Carol are married and expecting a baby, but Carol goes into labor at nine weeks. The final gag reveals VIP's unexpected effect, but more importantly, Jerry has transformed from manipulative playboy to committed husband.