Boy! What a Girl! 1947

Would-be theatrical producer Jim Walton is plotting a bold new show, one that would fuse music, comedy, and a touch of drag performance. The plan centers on featuring bandleader Slam Stewart and the comic female impersonator Bumpsie, with Jim hoping the spectacle will win him both artistic triumph and financial success. The project hinges on funding from two sources: Mr. Cummings, the wealthy father of Jim’s girlfriend Cristola Cummings, who agrees to cover half the costs if the famous Parisian impresario Madame Deborah will provide the other half.

But plans go awry when word arrives that Madame Deborah’s arrival from France has been delayed. To keep Mr. Cummings occupied and hopeful, the show’s preparations rely on a substitute figure, so a dashing man in disguise under the name Bumpsie is kept in the wings. Unbeknownst to Mr. Cummings, Bumpsie is a man in drag, and he unwittingly captures the man’s affection. Meanwhile, the actual Madame Deborah arrives early and passes herself off as Mrs. Martin to avoid alarm. Two other suitors, impressed by what they believe is Madame Deborah’s wealth, join the chase for Bumpsie, adding tension and humor to the mounting romantic muddle.

A fundraising party for the show becomes the stage for a lively array of musical numbers as various acts appear to lend their support. The festivities take a dramatic turn when a pair of thugs tries to kidnap Bumpsie, convinced that he is the real Madame Deborah. The ruse is thwarted when Bumpsie escapes, and the real Madame Deborah steps forward to confirm her identity and her commitment to finance Jim’s project. With the funds secured, Jim is able to push forward his ambitions, realize his professional goals, and look forward to a future with Cristola.