Just Around the Corner (1938) Plot Summary Explained

Penny was removed from private school because her father Jeff could no longer afford the tuition. After losing his penthouse apartment and car due to financial ruin, Jeff took a job as the building's custodian to maintain a home for Penny, but the family could not sustain the expenses of a private education.

Foreshadowing: The financial collapse is mentioned early when Jeff explains the Great Depression to Penny, showing the economic hardship that directly caused Penny's departure from school.

• tuition
• private school
• financial collapse
• Jeff Hale

Jeff lost his fortune because the Great Depression left him in dire financial straits. He was an architect who had been working on a major building project for Samuel Henshaw, but Henshaw discontinued the project, cutting off Jeff's income and causing his financial collapse.

Foreshadowing: Jeff explains to Penny that the country is mired in the Great Depression because Uncle Sam is being pestered by people wanting money, establishing the economic context for his downfall.

• Great Depression
• architect
• financial ruin
• Samuel Henshaw
• project discontinued

Waters is an officious apartment employee who now occupies a position of authority after Jeff's financial fall. He tries to keep Penny out of places she once frequented when her father was wealthy, reflecting his pretentious attitude and resentment toward the family's reduced status.

Foreshadowing: Penny's clashes with Waters begin immediately upon her return, establishing the class dynamic that persists throughout the film.

• Waters
• apartment
• class
• status
• conflict

Penny discovered that Samuel Henshaw was referred to as "Uncle Sam" by his niece and nephew (Lola and Milton). Amusingly, Penny believed that Samuel Henshaw was actually the real Uncle Sam from American folklore, which is why she sympathized with him being pestered by people wanting money.

Foreshadowing: This misunderstanding stems from Jeff's earlier explanation about the Great Depression and Uncle Sam, which Penny connects when she hears Henshaw's nickname.

• Uncle Sam
• Samuel Henshaw
• misunderstanding
• Penny

Penny staged a benefit performance charging a nickel per person, featuring a song-and-dance routine with Corporal Jones, the building's doorman. The show impressed Samuel Henshaw so much that he announced he would restart the building project with Jeff in charge, restoring the family's fortunes.

Foreshadowing: Penny earlier helped drive away reporters who were accosting Henshaw, showing her willingness to defend him and earning his favor.

• benefit show
• nickel
• Henshaw
• project restored
• Corporal Jones

Henshaw decided to restart the project after being impressed by Penny's initiative and charm. After she drove away reporters harassing him and then organized a successful benefit performance, Henshaw was moved by her effort and decided to re-hire Jeff and put him in charge of the previously abandoned building project.

Foreshadowing: Penny's earlier defense of Henshaw against reporters and her sympathy for his situation as "Uncle Sam" established a connection that led to her benefit show.

• Samuel Henshaw
• project restart
• Jeff
• impressed

Milton was Lola's brother, a pampered and effete boy with prominent curls. Penny befriended him and helped transform his appearance by cutting off his curls in an attempt to make him look more like a "he-man," challenging his snobbish and prim demeanor.

Foreshadowing: This playful transformation occurs early in Penny's time back home, reflecting her optimistic and spirited approach to helping others.

• Milton
• curls
• transformation
• Lola's brother

Jeff took a job as the building's custodian because he lost his penthouse apartment and car due to financial ruin. However, the building owner allowed him to keep a small basement dwelling for himself and Penny in exchange for his custodian work, giving them a place to live despite their reduced circumstances.

Foreshadowing: This humbling situation is revealed when Penny returns home and learns about her father's financial collapse.

• custodian
• basement
• apartment
• Jeff
• financial straits

Jeff was romantically linked with Lola, who was the niece of the difficult woman who now occupied Jeff's old apartment. Lola's uncle was Samuel Henshaw, the financier who had once employed Jeff on the building project. Their relationship represents a personal connection that continues through the family's hardship.

Foreshadowing: This romantic connection is established early and culminates in Jeff and Lola planning to marry by the film's end.

• Lola
• romance
• Jeff
• Samuel Henshaw
• engagement

Penny saw Henshaw being accosted by a group of pushy reporters and came to his aid by using a few well-placed kicks to their shins, driving them away. She also sympathized with him, recognizing that many people wanted his money, which helped endear her to Henshaw.

Foreshadowing: This act of defending Henshaw directly led to her later staging the benefit show for him.

• reporters
• Henshaw
• Penny
• defend
• kicks