I Accuse My Parents

Jimmy appears before a judge on charges of manslaughter. When asked to defend himself, he pauses, then says he accuses his parents for the home life he didn't receive. The judge listens as he reveals his anger and hurt.

The film flashes back to Jim's high school day when he receives an award for an essay about the ideal home. He is eager to share the news with his parents, but they aren't there to celebrate. The moment foreshadows the gap between his dreams and his real life.

Jim returns home to a house cluttered with empty liquor bottles while his parents argue. His mother arrives drunk to the graduation planning committee, embarrassing him in front of peers. His father offers money instead of celebrating his birthday.

Jim starts a job selling shoes after school and meets Kitty Reed, a torch singer. He delivers a pair of shoes to her house and later runs into her at the nightclub where she works. The two start dating, with Jim unaware Kitty is Blake's moll.

Blake, realizing Jim's relationship with Kitty, forces Kitty to break up with Jim. Blake then recruits Jimmy to run errands for him, paying well enough that Jim doesn't question what he is delivering.

Jim drives two of Blake's henchmen on a late-night errand that turns into a robbery. A night watchman is shot during the crime, and Jim realizes the danger of his involvement. When he speaks with Blake afterward, Blake threatens him to keep silent.

The police identify Jimmy as the getaway driver, and Blake orders his men to kill him. The plan is interrupted when passersby stumble upon the scene, forcing the attackers to flee and leaving Jim badly beaten. Jim flees, fearing for his life.

Jimmy packs a suitcase and hitchhikes away, eventually ending up in a small town. He tries to rob a diner but the owner Al recognizes the 'good boy in a bad situation' and offers him shelter and a chance to work if he goes to church. Jim accepts and starts a path toward reform.

Jim stays with Al for a time, working and turning away from crime. He confesses his crimes to Al and gains his support to return home and face the consequences. Al accompanies him to the hometown to turn himself in.

Back in his hometown, Al takes Jim to Kitty, where she reveals she was forced to break up with him. Jim then travels to confront Blake again. He hopes Blake will help clear his name, but Blake refuses and threatens him.

Blake pulls a gun and points it at Jim; they wrestle for the weapon and Jim accidentally shoots Blake, killing him. The moment triggers a police response as alarms go off. Jim's actions will be the focus of the trial.

The police, alerted by Al, storm Blake's hideout and arrest Blake's men along with Jim. The immediate danger subsides, but the consequences of his choices linger in the upcoming trial.

In the present, the judge acquits Jim of manslaughter but convicts him of possession of stolen property. He receives a five-year suspended sentence and two years of probation, and is remanded to his parents' custody until he is twenty-one.

The judge addresses Jimmy's parents and the audience, warning that neglectful parenting could ruin another young man. The moment reinforces the central theme of responsibility and care. The verdict leaves Jim with a probationary path forward.

The film ends with a title card stating that the production company will pay all costs to send the film overseas to entertain troops in World War II. It underscores the wartime context of the release.