The Thrill of It All 1963

In the midst of domestic tranquility, suburban housewife Beverly Boyer (character) stuns her devoted husband Gerald by landing a plum gig starring in television commercials for Happy Soap. The promise of a whopping $80,000 per year - equivalent to around $800,000 today - proves too enticing to resist, and she soon finds herself juggling the demands of the soap company with her duties as a wife and mother.

As Beverly’s TV presence grows, so do the expectations placed upon her by Happy Soap. Gerald, once content in his role as breadwinner, begins to feel threatened by his wife’s newfound wealth and fame. The attention lavished upon Beverly only exacerbates his insecurity, leading to a slow-burning resentment that ultimately boils over into outright hostility.

The final straw comes when the soap company gifts Beverly with a lavish swimming pool - conveniently built on the site of their family garage - sending Gerald’s patience reeling. In a fit of rage, he accidentally drives his car into the pool that very evening, prompting an explosive confrontation between the couple. In the aftermath, Gerald delivers an ultimatum: Beverly must choose between her career and their marriage.

As tensions simmer, Gerald resorts to psychological warfare, pretending to indulge in late-night revelry with multiple women - a calculated bid to make Beverly jealous and drive her further into his arms. But just as it seems their relationship is on the brink of collapse, Beverly and Gerald share a harrowing experience with an expectant couple they’ve befriended. This poignant bonding moment prompts Beverly to reevaluate her priorities, ultimately deciding to sacrifice her lucrative career for the sake of her marriage and family life.