A prestigious girls camp is offering a scholarship to their camp for some underprivileged kid. Pip (Gloria Jean) wins this essay contest but almost as soon as she arrives, she is having second thoughts about this 'prize' as most of these girls are spoiled monsters. They force her to dress differently from everyone else (who sport nice uniforms) and constantly remind her that they are better than Pip. And, you really, really want to see these spoiled rich girls get their comeuppance. But again and again, the camp's director (Beulah Bondi) seems to take the rich kids' side. What is Pip to do...other than perhaps run away or go Rambo on their other kids'?! Additionally, the one kid who IS nice to Pip (Virginia Weidler) is going through trouble, as her hateful parents are divorcing.
While the basic story makes for a nice family sort of film, Universal Studios insisted on having a Deanna Durbin-like actress who could also sing operatic-style songs. Folks in the late 30s and into the 40s LOVED this sort of stuff, though today it comes off as pretty weird...with such a strong and adult-like voice coming out of little Gloria Jean. It certainly didn't age well. This and the general schmatziness do detract from the film, though it's still pleasant and undemanding entertainment.
While the basic story makes for a nice family sort of film, Universal Studios insisted on having a Deanna Durbin-like actress who could also sing operatic-style songs. Folks in the late 30s and into the 40s LOVED this sort of stuff, though today it comes off as pretty weird...with such a strong and adult-like voice coming out of little Gloria Jean. It certainly didn't age well. This and the general schmatziness do detract from the film, though it's still pleasant and undemanding entertainment.