Henry Aldrich, Editor
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Hugh Bennett
Jimmy Lydon
Charles Smith
John Litel
Olive Blakeney
Rita Quigley
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Teenaged troublemaker Henry Aldrich becomes the new editor of his school paper when he wins an essay contest with a piece written by his friend, Martha Daley. Henry seeks advice on how to run a paper from city editor Norman Kenly and decides to become as tough as Kenly. Henry's new abusive demeanor alienates Martha and the rest of the school paper staff. When Henry decides to publish local news in the paper, he skips class to go to the site of a fire. Henry's friend, Dizzy Stevens, covers for him by telling a teacher that Henry's father Sam is seriously ill. The fire is already out by the time Henry gets there, but reporter Jack Lewis advises him to add sensationalism and color to make his story interesting. As a result, Henry fabricates a story about an arsonist. Kenly is infuriated that he did not get this story from Lewis and calls principal Bradley, who informs Kenly that Henry is a hero because he reported the story as his father lay dying. Bradley also calls the mayor and arranges for "quiet zone" signs to be posted on the Aldriches' street so that Sam can convalesce. When Henry's story is exposed as fraudulent and Sam is found to be healthy, Henry is publicly humiliated and dismissed from the paper. His father is then sued for slander by the man whose store burned because Henry claimed he was the arsonist, and Sam completely loses faith in his son. Later, Henry is approached by Nero Smith, an arsonist who reveals his obsession to the boy and his plans for setting his next fire. Henry tries to alert the authorities but his credibility has been destroyed, and when he is at the scene of the next fire, he is arrested for arson. At the trial, Henry is unable to substantiate his story about Smith. A psychologist deems Henry schizophrenic, and Henry's father, acting as his attorney, advises his son to plead guilty. Henry suddenly recalls that Smith has planned a fire for that night and escapes from court with the help of Martha. Henry and Dizzy drive to the warehouse that Smith plans to set on fire, and they accidentally knock out the nightwatchman. Dizzy runs away when he sees smoke, but Henry stays behind to find Smith. Smith refuses to leave so that he can watch the blaze from inside, so Henry carries the nightwatchman outside to safety. The firemen try to keep him there, but Henry rushes back in to save Smith. After they become trapped on an upper floor, they burn out the boarded-up windows and leap to safety into the firemen's net. Henry is cleared of all suspicion and his honor is redeemed.
Director
Hugh Bennett
Cast
Jimmy Lydon
Charles Smith
John Litel
Olive Blakeney
Rita Quigley
Vaughan Glaser
Charles Halton
Francis Pierlot
Cliff Clark
Fern Emmett
Maude Eburne
William Halligan
Ray Walker
Oscar O'shea
Leon Belasco
Chester Clute
Paul Matthews
Edgar Dearing
Matt Mchugh
Frank [m.] Thomas
John Hiestand
Eddie Dunn
Charles Mcavoy
Ralph Dunn
Ed Peil Sr.
Tom Fadden
Kernan Cripps
Minerva Urecal
Erville Alderson
Beverly Andre
Nora Lane
David Mckim
Dick Chandlee
Gerald Pierce
Billy Wayne
Walter Fenner
William Newell
Gladys Blake
Grace Hayle
Lee Shumway
Alice Ward
George French
Crew
Franz Bachelin
Edmund Bernoudy
Muriel Roy Bolton
Val Burton
John Cope
Everett Douglas
Hans Dreier
John Ellis
Bernie Kamins
Harry Lindgren
Curtis Mick
Jules Schermer
Henry Sharp
Leo Shuken
Sol C. Siegel
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Information in the film's pressbook reveals that students from Los Angeles High School appear in this film. For additonal information on "The Aldrich Family" series, consult the Series Index and for Life with Henry.
