Love

Some might think he could have researched the families wealth before going to the ball. But I think he was loving her starting by the way he looks at her when seeing her on the hunt again, in their introduction and by the fact that he didnt know the family. He approached her as he was bored by spoiled society girls which he was dating and surrounding him so far. Before approaching her, he didnt know Lina and never met her father which can be noticed in their meeting on the ball.

I think he wasn't scoping her out specifically...but was just hopping into first class cars that might contain a potential suger momma. He might have ended up loving her...and obviously the ending confuses it.

I think he did. As Joan Fontaine said in the movie, if he wanted her only for the money he could have gotten someone more wealthy. He married her and was in love with her, but he loved himself more.

At the very beginning:

Johnnie asked to be introduced to her, before he knew who she was:

"She's not up your alley, Johnnie"

"The truth is, I'm a little board with people in my alley"

I don't think he did - Johnnie was obviously a user and a liar - two attributes that are not loving but more selfish - he loved himself more than Lena imo. I also found the pet name "monkey face" to be derogatory.

We have all heard the saying that it is just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as with a poor man. Actually, it is a hundred times easier, and all that is wanting is the opportunity. Needless to say, this applies to falling in love with women too.

I once met a rich woman, and I remember thinking how easy it would be to fall in love with her. However, because I do not look like Cary Grant, I had to work for a living instead.

Of course Johnnie loved his Monkey Face!

I'd like to think they had adventures for years and years before Johnnie succumbed to alcoholism.

It would have made a great TV series. They could call it "Monkey Face."

Johnnie's shenanigans are always getting him into trouble. But Lina becomes a stronger and more capable person because of all the experience she has from extricating Johnnie from his unseemly adventures. She frequently gets a little help from various guest stars who play Johnnie's friends who are still charmed by him and not yet disgusted by his incorrigible nature.

Roger Moore is Johnnie.
Julie Andrews is Monkey Face.

Roland Young plays Captain Melbeck.

Janet! Donkeys!