In a small Ohio town, randy lawyer Ronald Reagan (as Tom Bates) is rumored to be the father in a child-producing scandal. Eighteen years later, the child has grown into perky student Shirley Temple (as Mary Hagen). "That Hagen Girl" doesn't know about her shadowy past, but intuitively feels the taint. When Mr. Reagan returns to town, both he and Temple hear the father/daughter story (which everyone else in the cast knows). Reagan dismisses the story as malicious gossip, while courting Temple's teacher, Lois Maxwell (as Julia Kane).
Meanwhile, Temple scores with athletic Rory Calhoun (as Ken Freneau). After Calhoun spontaneously weds Penny Edwards (as Christine Delaney), Temple gets expelled after a wild night out with fun-loving Conrad Janis (as Dewey Koons), who called Temple and Calhoun "The gruesome twosome of 1947." Reagan, who was impressed with Temple's performance as "Juliet" in her school play, offers to pay for her University education. Temple takes it as fatherly interest; but, Ronald Reagan is falling in love with young Shirley Temple
This is a very strange film. The now not-so-shocking "romance" between the older Reagan and younger Temple is overshadowed by their timelessly unconvincing and unappealing performances - at no time do they ever seem like they are falling in love. The supporting players, several in early appearances, are a few notches better. Certainly, young Janis realizes the full potential of his ("Dewey Koons") role - something this adept and entertaining actor would do for decades to come.
** That Hagen Girl (10/24/47) Peter Godfrey ~ Shirley Temple, Ronald Reagan, Conrad Janis
Meanwhile, Temple scores with athletic Rory Calhoun (as Ken Freneau). After Calhoun spontaneously weds Penny Edwards (as Christine Delaney), Temple gets expelled after a wild night out with fun-loving Conrad Janis (as Dewey Koons), who called Temple and Calhoun "The gruesome twosome of 1947." Reagan, who was impressed with Temple's performance as "Juliet" in her school play, offers to pay for her University education. Temple takes it as fatherly interest; but, Ronald Reagan is falling in love with young Shirley Temple
This is a very strange film. The now not-so-shocking "romance" between the older Reagan and younger Temple is overshadowed by their timelessly unconvincing and unappealing performances - at no time do they ever seem like they are falling in love. The supporting players, several in early appearances, are a few notches better. Certainly, young Janis realizes the full potential of his ("Dewey Koons") role - something this adept and entertaining actor would do for decades to come.
** That Hagen Girl (10/24/47) Peter Godfrey ~ Shirley Temple, Ronald Reagan, Conrad Janis