Nearly Eighteen
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Arthur Dreifuss
Gale Storm
Bill Henry
Rick Vallin
Luis Alberni
George O'hanlon
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Talented seventeen-year-old singer Jane Stanton, who has left her home in Ohio for New York City, auditions for Café Grotto owner Gus. Although Gus wants to hire her, he cannot do so because she is under legal age. Gus advises her to return in a month, after she has turned eighteen, and in the meantime, refers her for work as a secretary to his friend, bookie Tony Morgan. Jane goes to Tony's office, which she believes is a brokerage, and Tony hires the attractive young woman on the spot. When Gus is pressured by the police about Tony's activities, however, he reveals Tony's new address, and Tony and his confederate, Eddie, escape just in time to elude a police raid. Jane is arrested, and although she is innocent, a judge fines her fifty dollars, the only money she has. Jane demands her money from Tony, who, in order to get rid of her, gives her some cash and sets her up for an interview with his friend, vocal coach Jack Leonard. When Jane arrives at Jack's school, she learns that he only accepts students fourteen years old and younger. Desperate, Jane steals a suitcase that has been left behind and puts on a little girl's clothing to pose as fourteen-year-old. Jack is impressed by her talent and gives her a scholarship which includes boarding. Despite her age, Jane befriends the other children while she trains her voice and learns how to tap dance. Jack becomes smitten by Jane, who seems mature for her fourteen years, but refrains from pursuing her because of her age. Jack's agent friend gets Jane a contract with a radio show, but Jack insists that Jane's parents sign a consent form releasing her for work. Jane disconsolately leaves the school and when Jack sees her walking out in her own clothes, he realizes that she has deceived him. Jane seeks help from Tony, who, although he is a hustler and ladies' man, develops a sincere affection for her and decides to represent her. When Tony gets her a contract at the Melody Club, Gus advises her that Jack is the only person who can make her a great singer. Gus then tells Tony that he is no good for Jane, but Tony insists on helping her. Jane turns eighteen and makes her debut at the Melody Club the next night. Backstage before the show, Jane is touched when Tony brings her flowers and a new dress. The bigger surprise, however, is when Tony presents her with Jack, who happily embraces his true love as she goes onstage.
Director
Arthur Dreifuss
Cast
Gale Storm
Bill Henry
Rick Vallin
Luis Alberni
George O'hanlon
Ralph Hodges
Jerry Rush
Bebe Fox
Robert Homans
Sarah Edwards
Kenneth Harlan
Donald Kerr
Crew
Irving Bibo
Jack Boyle
Richard Currier
Margaret Englander
Edward Kay
Alex Kramer
Tom Lambert
Dave Milton
Lindsley Parsons
Al Piantadosi
George Sayre
Mack Stengler
William Strohbach
Joan Whitney
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Margaret Englander's original story was called "This Is Mary Clayton." Although Monogram purchased a story by Louis Apple titled "Nearly Eighteen" in May 1942, it appears that only the title was used for this film.
