This film is about a hidden daughter. It seems that a very vain and rather awful stage actress has kept her daughter hidden from the world for many years. We aren't sure why, but assume it's because the awful mother doesn't want anyone to see how old she actually is OR because she didn't want to be bothered with a child (or both). The mother simply has no interest in the kid--and now that she's grown, she STILL wants to keep her a secret.
When nice-guy George Brent accidentally meets this secret 19 year-old, he's taken by her innocence and how unlike her mother she is. In fact, while he takes on the role of a 'Dutch uncle' (like an unofficial guardian or protector), it's obvious he's falling in love with her. Amazingly, the daughter (Jean Muir) seems to have no inkling that this has occurred and sees him as a good friend...and that's all. While this isn't exactly a 'May-December romance', Brent's being in his 30s and she not quite 20 is a bit problematic. So he keeps this hidden desire to himself. What will become of this? Will the love continue unrequited? Will this sweet girl continue to allow her mother to treat her like an unwanted carbuncle? Tune in and see.
I liked the plot of this film. It is unique and interesting. My only serious reservation is that Muir's performance in the beginning is a bit too 'aw, shucks' naive for my taste. She seems like an 8 year-old who's just come to the big city and her wide-eyed innocence seems to have been put on a bit thick. However, I did like her character later as she matured a bit. This persona did change a bit and she gained a lot of strength as the film progressed. I liked this--but just wished they'd toned down her initial characterization. Still, it's a nice little movie that packs a nice, though somewhat predictable, punch.
