Boy! What a Girl! (1947) Plot Summary Explained

Jim's production requires two equal financial backers. Mr. Cummings agrees to cover half the costs only if Madame Deborah provides the remaining half, this was his explicit condition for investing. Without both commitments, the show cannot move forward.

Foreshadowing: Early in the film, Jim learns the financing hinges on this partnership arrangement.

• funding
• financier
• Jim Walton
• production budget

When Madame Deborah's arrival from France is delayed, Jim and his partners need someone to keep Mr. Cummings hopeful and occupied so he doesn't withdraw his funding commitment. Bumpsie, a comic female impersonator, is brought in disguised as the wealthy society matron to maintain the illusion that the full financing is on track.

Foreshadowing: The plan to use Bumpsie as a substitute is established once word arrives of Deborah's delay.

• Bumpsie
• disguise
• impersonation
• Madame Deborah

Madame Deborah arrives earlier than expected and chooses to pass herself off as Mrs. Martin to avoid causing alarm. By concealing her true identity, she can observe the situation and the people involved without disrupting the ongoing ruse with Bumpsie.

Foreshadowing: This deception sets up the later confusion when the real identity becomes relevant.

• Madame Deborah
• Mrs. Martin
• identity
• arrival

The thugs believe Bumpsie is the real Madame Deborah, the wealthy French financier. They attempt to kidnap her to presumably demand ransom or leverage her wealth. This mistaken identity creates the film's most tense moment before Bumpsie escapes.

Foreshadowing: The thugs' assumption stems from Bumpsie's public association with Madame Deborah's funding role.

• kidnapping
• thugs
• mistaken identity
• Madame Deborah

Bumpsie is an experienced comic female impersonator whose disguise is convincing enough to fool Mr. Cummings. Additionally, Cummings is drawn to what he believes is the wealthy, prestigious Madame Deborah, making him more susceptible to the illusion. The comedy derives from his complete obliviousness to the truth.

Foreshadowing: The setup establishes Bumpsie as a believable female figure from the start.

• Mr. Cummings
• Bumpsie
• romance
• disguise

The two suitors are attracted to Bumpsie's perceived connection to Madame Deborah's fortune. Believing Bumpsie either is or represents the wealthy French financier, they see her as a path to wealth and status. Their pursuit adds comedic romantic subplot and competition.

Foreshadowing: The suitors' interest is sparked by the belief that Bumpsie controls the show's funding.

• suitors
• wealth
• pursuit
• Bumpsie

The real Madame Deborah reveals herself at the fundraising party and confirms her commitment to finance Jim's production. With both Mr. Cummings's half and Madame Deborah's half secured, the full funding is finally in place, allowing the show to proceed.

Foreshadowing: Deborah's early arrival and observation of events leads to her decision to step forward.

• funding
• financing
• Madame Deborah
• production

Madame Deborah reveals herself after witnessing the kidnapping attempt and seeing that Bumpsie's ruse is about to collapse under the pressure of the situation. By stepping forward, she not only saves Bumpsie but also proves her identity and willingness to honor her financial commitment.

Foreshadowing: The kidnapping crisis becomes the catalyst for Deborah to abandon her incognito status.

• reveal
• identity
• Madame Deborah
• kidnapping

Bumpsie's disguise is maintained even after the reveal, the film indicates he remains an essential performer in the production. The ruse serves its purpose, the funding is secured, and the comedic situation resolves without shaming Bumpsie or exposing the full truth to Mr. Cummings in a damaging way.

Foreshadowing: The successful escape allows Bumpsie to continue in the production without consequence.

• Bumpsie
• reveal
• performance
• show

Mr. Cummings agrees to finance half of Jim's show because he wants to support Jim's relationship with his daughter Cristola. Additionally, the prospect of having the famous Parisian impresario Madame Deborah as a co-financier was appealing enough to commit his own money.

Foreshadowing: Cummings' personal connection to Jim through Cristola drives his willingness to invest.

• Mr. Cummings
• funding
• Cristola
• investment