That Certain Age

Alice Fullerton is the 15-year-old daughter of the newspaper publisher, Gilbert Fullerton. She becomes involved with a group of Boy Scouts led by Ken Warren, who want to mount a charity show to raise funds for scout camp. Alice is quick to help, granting the boys permission to use the family home to rehearse, and she soon earns a place in the act as the production takes shape.

Meanwhile, the house is offered to reporter Vincent Bullitt, who aims to finish a quiet article in the midst of the bustle. Alice fears the scouts could be kicked out, so she schemes to scare Vincent away. She stages a haunted-house ruse, hoping to deter him, but Vincent sees through the prank and confronts [Alice Fullerton]. She finally tells him the whole truth, and Vincent responds with unexpected sympathy, deciding to leave. Yet Gilbert Fullerton doesn’t want to turn away a chance to work, and he urges Vincent to stay.

Alice’s feelings grow when she learns that Vincent is ill, and she begins to care for him, developing a crush in the process. This attraction stirs jealousy in [Ken Warren], who has his own crush on Alice and tries to push her away by replacing her with singer Mary Lee in the upcoming performances.

As preparations for the party move forward, Alice is determined to give Vincent a meaningful gift. She sells some of her belongings to buy a costly cigarette lighter, and on the night of the party she even borrows a dress from her mother to look older. The mood grows tense as she asks her mother to remove the dress, and Alice withdraws from those around her in a moment of frustration.

In parallel, Ken informs Vincent and the Fullerton parents that Alice is in love with Vincent. Alice’s mother tries to steer her away from the crush, but Alice remains resolute in her feelings. Then comes a turning point at the party when a lie from Alice’s mother suggests that Vincent is married to reporter Grace Bristow. The rumor shatters Alice’s certainty, and she ultimately gives up her romantic hope, stepping aside again. She does, however, get a chance to reclaim the female lead in the show later, when Mary Lee becomes ill.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:20