My Pal Gus

Dave, focused on his Los Angeles-based business, neglects his precocious five-year-old Gus as the boy constantly creates havoc to grab attention. After Gus's latest escapade is cleaned up and paid for, Dave tells his secretary Ivy Tolliver to find a new nurse for Gus. Gus's disruptive antics set the stage for the upheaval to come.

Ivy places Gus in the Playtime School, and Dave is required to meet with the teacher Lydia Marble to enroll him formally. He rushes through the enrollment, offering to pay whatever it takes to keep Gus in line.

At the enrollment meeting, Dave declares he will pay whatever it takes to manage Gus, insisting he knows all he needs to about his son. Lydia explains that parental participation is required for Gus's education, challenging Dave's hands-off stance. Dave is surprised by Lydia's competence and the potential value of her involvement.

Gus responds well to Lydia's instructions, demonstrating better behavior, but he also slaps a schoolmate, signaling both progress and a need for continued discipline. Dave begins to see the benefits of Lydia's tutelage for his son and for his own peace of mind.

Despite the incident, Dave agrees to keep Gus at Playtime under Lydia's guidance, convinced the program is helping him. Over the next three weeks, Gus becomes more content and well-behaved, validating Lydia's approach.

On parent participation day, Dave sends a truckload of toys to the school, hoping to buy his son's affection and attention. Lydia returns the toys with a note admonishing Dave that toys cannot replace involvement. She implies that true progress comes from his active participation, not material gifts.

Dave confesses that he has fallen in love with Lydia, and she reciprocates, though she cautions that his feelings may stem from dependence on her. Lydia warns that her influence should complement, not replace, his role as a father.

As time passes, Dave becomes a devoted father, and his romance with Lydia deepens into an engagement. Lydia's tutelage and companionship seem to redefine Dave's priorities around Gus.

On Gus's birthday, Joyce, Dave's ex-wife, appears at his hotel claiming she is broke and arguing that their Mexican divorce may not be legal. Dave's lawyer, Farley Norris, confirms the unsettling news, setting the stage for a courtroom confrontation.

Ignoring his friends' advice, Dave hires private detectives to gather ammunition against Joyce to win in court. He then drives to his new beach house to rest before the trial. The ominous setup foreshadows the personal costs to come.

Unknown to Dave, Lydia and Gus have also spent the night at the beach house. In the courtroom the next day, Joyce's lawyer accuses Dave of adultery and names Lydia as co-respondent, a scandal that forces Lydia to close her school. The publicity damages Lydia professionally and personally.

During the trial, Farley proves that Joyce abandoned Dave, and the judge grants a divorce. The judge does not award Dave any of his property to Joyce but does grant Joyce custody of Gus, devastating Dave. He is heartbroken and confronts the reality that his pursuit of wealth harmed his family.

On the morning he drives Gus to Joyce's hotel, Gus pleads to remain with his father, reminding Dave what’s truly important. Dave ultimately agrees to give Joyce everything he owns in exchange for permanent custody of Gus, signaling a drastic but hopeful pivot. He realizes his priorities must change.

Lydia reappears, promising to help Dave fight for Gus, and they share a moment of reconciliation with Gus. Dave embraces Lydia and Gus and resolves to rebuild their life together around his son, and he even asks Lydia to pay for lunch, signaling a new, grounded partnership.