The Regina Wainwright Story

This is a story about a woman who can't seem to let go of the Old South and its traditions. Regina Wainwright used to be married to a man from "the right kind of family" and lived in a big plantation house called Fair Oaks that was in her husband's family for generations. Now her husband is deceased and the estate's money ran out a long time ago. She lives in a rooming house, is confined to a wheelchair, and gets regular visits from her brother and her daughter who's a school teacher. It's her daughter that she depends upon for money and care. Tradition, family, and breeding are important to Mrs. Wainwright. She keeps a picture of her elegant old home on the wall of her living room.

Her daughter Margaret meets Peter Miller (actor David Janssen), a young engineer in town for a couple of weeks working at an oil field. Mrs. Wainwright finds out that Peter was raised by an aunt after his parents died when he was a baby. And he's not interested in tradition or learning about his Boston roots. Mrs. Wainwright isn't impressed. Margaret and Peter fall in love after a one-week courtship and Peter asks Margaret to marry him. It's very romantic and David Janssen in his prime is swoon-worthy. Yet Margaret feels obligated to stay with her mother. And Mrs. Wainwright is selfish enough to keep Margaret by her side rather than allow her daughter to follow her heart.