That Certain Age (1938) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The story unfolds primarily at the Fullerton Family Home, a warm domestic setting that serves as both the private residence of the Fullerton family and a rehearsal space for the Boy Scouts' charity show. The house becomes a stage for neighborhood social dynamics, hosting family moments and interactions with visitors like reporter Vincent Bullitt.

• fullerton estate
• family home
• setting
• location

While the film was released in 1938, it presents a timeless small-town American setting without specifying an exact historical period. The era's social customs, fashion, and community activities like Boy Scout fundraisers reflect a typical pre-World War II American neighborhood atmosphere.

• 1930s
• time period
• era
• setting

Alice Fullerton is a bright, curious 15-year-old girl portrayed by actress Deanna Durbin. She uses her family home to help a group of Boy Scouts raise funds for camp and quickly develops a crush on the older journalist Vincent Bullitt. Her character represents the transition from childhood to maturity, balancing family expectations with her own growing emotions.

• alice fullerton
• character
• teenage girl
• deanna durbin

Vincent Bullitt is a dashing newspaper reporter portrayed by Melvyn Douglas who comes to stay at the Fullerton estate to write European articles before being sent to China. He is perceptive, kind, and possesses integrity, choosing to leave when he discovers a prank being played on him rather than cause trouble for the family.

• vincent bullitt
• journalist
• reporter
• melvyn douglas

Alice develops an infatuation with the much older Vincent Bullitt, seeing him as a sophisticated figure from the adult world. Vincent treats her with kindness but does not reciprocate romantic feelings. Their dynamic ultimately evolves through moments of compassion when Vincent falls ill and Alice cares for him, shifting her crush into genuine empathy.

• alice
• vincent
• romance
• relationship
• crush

Alice's father is Gilbert Fullerton, a newspaper publisher portrayed by John Halliday, who supports the Boy Scouts and provides the family home for their activities. Her mother is Mrs. Dorothy Fullerton, portrayed by Irene Rich, who is cautious and protective, attempting to steer her daughter away from what she considers inappropriate romantic entanglements.

• gilbert fullerton
• dorothy fullerton
• parents
• family

The Boy Scouts, led by Ken Warren, are organizing a charity show to raise money for camp. The Fullerton Family Home serves as their rehearsal venue, and Alice initially helps organize the event. The scout activities create the social context that brings Alice and Vincent into contact and drives much of the film's neighborhood drama.

• boy scouts
• ken warren
• fundraiser
• camp
• show

The film explores Alice's transition from childhood into more mature awareness through her crush on Vincent Bullitt. Her willingness to help the scouts shows responsibility beyond her years, while her infatuation tests her emotional boundaries. The story uses this romance to examine growing up, autonomy, and the cost of adult attention.

• coming of age
• adolescence
• growing up
• theme

Alice participates in a ghostly hoax as a mischievous attempt to protect her friends' interests. Vincent sees through the prank and chooses to leave to protect the family and his own health, demonstrating his integrity. The eventual revelation exposes the consequences of deception and prompts characters to reconsider trust and honesty in their relationships.

• honesty
• deception
• prank
• ghost
• theme

When Vincent falls ill, Alice shifts from infatuation to genuine care, offering help and companionship rather than scheming for romantic connection. Her act of looking after someone sick reframes their dynamic and reveals a real emotional connection built on trust. The storyline uses compassion to soften social pressures and humanize their relationship.

• compassion
• care
• empathy
• kindness
• theme

Ken Warren is the leader of the Boy Scout troop who wants to stage a show to raise money for camp, portrayed by Jackie Cooper. He becomes jealous when Alice forms a bond with Vincent and attempts to push her out by replacing her with Mary Lee. His competitive, impulsive schemes test the group's unity and add to the story's tension.

• ken warren
• boy scout
• leader
• jealousy

This is a light, optimistic musical comedy from 1938 with a gentle, non-threatening problem at its center, a teenage crush. The pacing is steady with a consistent flow from the initial charity show idea to the final performance. The emotional weight is light, featuring a brief adolescent disappointment that is ultimately framed as a normal, manageable part of growing up.

• comedy
• musical
• tone
• genre
• 1938
• lighthearted

Grace Bristow is a newspaper reporter portrayed by Nancy Carroll who anchors the story in the world of journalism and public opinion. She becomes part of the social circle around the Fullertons, illustrating how the press can influence private life and emphasizing the film's connection to journalism and public perception.

• grace bristow
• reporter
• newspaper
• journalist