Sonnie Hale in 'Happy Ever After'

Two men and a maid. Do they remain just friends? You will know if you read their story.

The men both possess the uncommon Christian name of Willie and they are pals. Complications already? You are right! These two carefree bachelors enjoy the distinction of being window cleaners, and it is while carrying out their duties on the uncomplaining windows of the American Embassy that they meet the maid.

Jou Jou, yes that is her name, is being brutally treated by a nasty looking commissionaire and from their ladders the two Willies hear him inform her that he is sick of throwing her out and with that he proceeds to do so again. She gets away from him and escapes onto the roof. The daring ladder climbers join her there and learn that she had been endeavouring to see the Consul to get a passport enabling her to [?visit] America, as she possesses a letter from an American producer named Merriman, stating he will give her a job in Hollywood.

She admits the letter cost her twenty five dollars but is positive of its worth and her own rise to stardom. Her profession had been that of acrobatic dancer and her experience gained in provincial theatres. Guessing that she is penniless the young men invite her to stay in their country "castle" chaperoned by the "Colonel", their elderly but kindly factotum.

On investigation the country "castle" proves to be some railway carriages turned into sleeping and living quarters, where the boys are as happy as can be. The advent of Jou Jou necessitates the buying of a saloon carriage with their hard earned savings, and this they turn into the jolliest of dwellings for Jou Jou, and she is as delighted as a child.

Still thinking of her stardom, Jou Jou falls asleep in the saucy little drawing room and dreams that the carriages join up and become a magic train manned by both Willies. It takes her triumphantly across land and sea, right through the gates of Hollywood where a cheering multitude awaits the arrival of the lovely new star. Imagine her horror when, on entering the studio, she is met by hundreds of shouting producers, who wave their megaphones to a throne. There, seated in state with a vicious leer, is the horrible Embassy Commissionaire!

"Do your stuff!" he shouts and poor Jou Jou dances to the sneering laughter of the film directors. Her feet feel like lead weights. Oh dear! What has happened? Her feet are encased in huge boots! She topples over with fright and crash! The boys rush in at the sound of breaking glass and find a disillusioned Jou Jou, who has fallen off her chair and smashed the window. She tells them of her dream and how glad and happy she is to be with them.

The boys possess a great friend in Ida. "Illustrated Ida" they nickname her, as she presides over a newspaper kiosk, and it is Ida that discovers their love for Jou Jou and their growing dislike for each other.

A crisis is reached when, after a bicycle ride into the country, one Willie gets rid of the other and tells Jou Jou he loves her. She admits she loves him — and the other Willie! A quarrel follows and Jou Jou goes home in a huff.

The Colonel and Ida warn Jou Jou of the trouble she is causing, and hurt, she decides to leave.

After her departure the Colonel tells the boys the truth; and that he is positive she wants to stay and is in love with one of them.

Off they rush on their bikes straight to the Embassy, where from ladders they watch once again Jou Jou, this time having fought her way into the real Merriman, "doing her stuff!" Her persistence wins and the American agrees to give her a contract.

Realising that it is his pal Jou Jou loves, one Willie goes in to Merriman and forces him to admit, that although she is charming and pretty, there are thousands like Jou Jou already in Hollywood. Merriman agrees that she would be better and happier as a housewife than as a film star, and that as Willie possesses such a persuasive tongue he will agree to Jou Jou staying behind if Willie goes with him and uses his powers of persuasion on screen struck girls that pester him.

The other Willie is saying goodbye to Jou Jou and after leaving her receives a surprise when his pal sends a blushing Jou Jou down the ladder into his arms.

"She loves you!" he shouts, "Take her!" As he goes to America they all remain happy ever after.