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Love Nest is a 1951 American comedy-drama film directed by Joseph Newman and starring June Haver, William Lundigan, Frank Fay, Jack Paar and Marilyn Monroe in an early supporting role. The film marks the final screen appearances by Fay and silent film star Leatrice Joy.
Smooth-talking Charley Patterson, a Scam who romances and swindles wealthy widows, leases a vacant apartment and targets gentle but poor widow Eadie Gaynor. Jim persuades Connie to rent an apartment to an old Army buddy, who is revealed to be a stunning former WAC named Roberta Stevens.
An FBI agent visits the Scotts to ask about Mr. Patterson, but will not divulge any information. The Scotts spot Patterson, who is supposed to be out of town on business, at a fancy restaurant dancing with and romancing a woman.
A building inspector informs the Scotts that they must repair exposed wiring in their building within 15 days or the building will be condemned, but Jim learns that the repair will be so expensive that he must sell the building.. Charley and Eadie announce their engagement and depart the next day to be married. When Charley returns, he lends Jim $800 for the repairs, bur Jim still wants to sell, as he is convinced that the building is a money pit. After arguing with Connie, Jim sleeps in a backyard hammock. When the hammock breaks, Jim, knowing that Bobbie is away on a modeling assignment, goes to sleep in her empty apartment, but she returns the next morning before he awakens and Connie mistakenly believes that Bobbie, of whom she is already jealous, and Jim have spent the night together.
After a newspaper story fingers Charley as having swindled another old widow, Connie and Jim confront Charley, who does not deny his guilt but assures them that he truly loves Eadie and has just finished his last con. When Jim mentions the visit from the FBI agent, Charley starts packing, but the police arrive before he can escape. Charley reassures Eadie that she is the only woman whom he has ever loved.
Charley, who wishes to plead guilty and pay the price for his crimes, arranges for Jim's arrest for receiving the $800 from him, as it was part of the money that he had swindled from the old woman. Jim is infuriated, but Charley explains that he has been offered $5,000 for a series of articles on his escapades that Jim must write. The articles lead to a bestselling book.
After 18 months, Charley is released from prison and reunites with Eadie. Jim and Connie, who have beautified the apartment building with Jim's royalties, watch in amusement as Eadie and Charley take their infant twin daughters for a walk.
Uncredited
In the Chicago Tribune, critic Mae Tinée wrote: "Thanks to a moderately bright script and some likable people in the cast, this movie adds up to airy and amiable entertainment."
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