Stowaway

In Sanchow, China, Barbara 'Ching-Ching' Stewart lives under the care of missionary guardians. When bandits threaten the village, the guardians decide to move her to Shanghai for safety. The attempted relocation sets the stage for a perilous journey and the fragility of her guardians' protection.

Ching-Ching is sent to Shanghai for safety, but chaos in the journey leads to her being accidentally separated from her guide. She finds herself alone in Shanghai with her dog, Mr. Wu.

Ching-Ching meets Tommy Randall, a wealthy American playboy who travels the world by ocean liner. Their encounter hints at a complicated bond that will unfold across seas and ports.

Tommy leaves Ching-Ching in his convertible car while he goes into a hotel to see friends. When he returns, it appears she is gone, but she has quietly crawled into the car’s trunk and fallen asleep.

Tommy's car is loaded into the ship's cargo hold, and Ching-Ching accidentally becomes a stowaway. Her presence is finally discovered as the voyage begins.

Ching-Ching is helped by Susan Parker and her future mother-in-law, Mrs. Hope, who are traveling aboard the ship. Tommy is compelled to look after the girl as they head toward Bangkok, where Susan is to marry Richard Hope.

The voyage reveals that Ching-Ching's guardians were killed by bandits, and she is slated to disembark at the next port to go to an orphanage in Shanghai. This forces a practical consideration: who will adopt and care for her?

Tommy wishes to adopt Ching-Ching but cannot do so while still a bachelor. He asks Susan to adopt her when she marries Richard, albeit only temporarily until he can marry and legally adopt.

The Hopes reject the temporary adoption plan, and Susan ends her engagement to Richard due to his and his mother's interference. She then agrees to marry Tommy in name only so they can pursue adopting Ching-Ching.

Tommy and Susan marry in name only so they can adopt Ching-Ching, with an understanding to divorce upon returning to the United States so Tommy can have custody. The arrangement is born out of necessity rather than romance.

During the court proceedings, Tommy and Susan realize they are falling in love. The legal act that was meant to secure adoption begins to reveal unexpected, deeper feelings between them.

Tommy and Susan decide to stay married and jointly adopt Ching-Ching, forming a family that blends romance with guardianship. The trio begins their life together as a United States-based family.