Dodsworth is set in the period between late 1925 and late 1927 and it underlines the differences between US and European intellect, manners, and morals. Samuel Dodsworth is an ambitious and innovative automobile designer, who builds his fortunes in fictional Zenith, Winnemac. In addition to his success in the business world, he had also succeeded as a young man in winning the hand of Frances 'Fran' Voelker, a beautiful young socialite. Retiring at the age of fifty he sets out to do what he had always wanted to experience: a leisurely trip to Europe with his wife. In their extensive travels across Europe, they are soon caught up in vastly different lifestyles and it begins to influence their relationship and marriage.