Merrily We Go to Hell Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for Merrily We Go to Hell.
Merrily We Go to Hell Ending Explained: A drunken newspaperman, Jerry Corbett, is rescued from his alcoholic haze by an heiress, Joan Prentice, whose love sobers him up and encourages him to write a play, but he lapses back into dipsomania. Directed by Dorothy Arzner, this 1932 comedy film stars Sylvia Sidney (Joan Prentice), alongside Fredric March as Jerry Corbett, Adrianne Allen as Claire Hempstead, Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher as Buck. With a 6.5/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of Merrily We Go to Hell?
A drunken newspaperman, Jerry Corbett, is rescued from his alcoholic haze by an heiress, Joan Prentice, whose love sobers him up and encourages him to write a play, but he lapses back into dipsomania.
How Does Sylvia Sidney (Joan Prentice)'s Story End?
- Sylvia Sidney: Sylvia Sidney's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Fredric March (Jerry Corbett): Fredric March's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Adrianne Allen (Claire Hempstead): Adrianne Allen's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Merrily We Go to Hell Mean?
Merrily We Go to Hell's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Sylvia Sidney may feel rushed. Dorothy Arzner's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.