In the late 1930s during the Great Depression, eight-year-old Flavia Mills (Margaret O’Brien) lives in a tenement building in New York City with her family. Her aunt, Susan (Angela Lansbury), awaits the return of her fiancé, Steve (George Murphy), who has been in prison. Upon Steve’s return, Flavia tries to help him regain her aunt’s love and find his place in society. But, when Flavia learns the truth about Steve’s criminal past, her faith in humanity is brought into question, and she must try to face adversity with her usual optimism.
Roy Rowland, who directed O’Brien in Lost Angel and Our Vines Have Tender Grapes, guides the story, which ends with a joyful Christmas miracle. And the cinematography is the work of Robert Surtees, who would go on to lens Ben-Hur, The Graduate and The Sting among other classics.
Starring Margaret O’Brien, Angela Lansbury, George Murphy.