What Is Baby Face Harrington About?
The premise of Baby Face Harrington in 284 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a quiet small town where life usually moves at a predictable pace, Willie Harrington exists as the definition of unassuming. As a meek office clerk, Willie is accustomed to blending into the background, far removed from the excitement or danger that typically defines the lives of notorious figures. However, his mild temperament becomes the canvas for a series of escalating misunderstandings. The film establishes a sharp contrast between Willie’s gentle nature and the chaotic circumstances that begin to envelop him, promising a story where the ordinary collides with the absurd.
The pressure to succeed weighs heavily on Willie, driven largely by the ambitions of his wife, Millicent. Her desire for him to rise above his station pushes him into unfamiliar territory, where his attempts to prove his worth go spectacularly awry. A succession of comic mishaps serves as the spark for a much larger fire, transforming his quiet existence into a frantic scramble. The narrative deftly uses this domestic push-and-pull to propel Willie out of his comfort zone, setting the stage for the mayhem that follows.
Suddenly, Willie finds himself the unwitting star of a city-wide spectacle, dubbed “Public Enemy No. 2” by a sensationalist press eager for a story. The tone shifts into a farcical chase, balancing the tension of a manhunt with the humor of a protagonist entirely unsuited for a life of crime. As he attempts to evade law enforcement and navigate a relentless media frenzy, the film explores the panic of a man caught in the gears of a system that has misread him entirely. It is a lighthearted yet frantic journey through mistaken identities and the hilarious perils of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
What Happens in Baby Face Harrington?
The complete story of Baby Face Harrington, from the first scene to the last, in 166 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Millicent, Una Merkel, wants her husband Willie, Charles Butterworth, to achieve success like her old beau Ronald, Harvey Stephens. In the belief what she wants most is money, Willie cashes in a life-insurance policy for $2,000, which he promptly loses. When he spots real-estate agent Skinner, Donald Meek, with that much money, he knows who robbed him. Meanwhile, a professional thief, Rocky Banister, Nat Pendleton, is frightening everyone in town with his daring robberies, making Millicent so wary that she keeps a gun nearby. Borrowing the gun, Willie confronts Skinner and takes the $2,000. When he returns home, he discovers that his money has been in his wallet all along. Before he can return it to Skinner and apologize, Rocky breaks in and steals all $4,000. Willie is accused of being an accomplice of Rocky’s and sent to jail. During a breakout, Willie manages to leave a note behind for the police, who catch up just in time to apprehend Rocky and proclaim Willie a hero.
Baby Face Harrington Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Willie cashes in the life-insurance policy” to “Willie hailed as a town hero”. 12 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Willie cashes in the life-insurance policy
Millicent pressures Willie to succeed financially and he cashes in a life-insurance policy for $2,000. He hopes this money will be a quick path to improvement, but the cash quickly becomes the seed of the trouble to come.
When:Daytime Where:Millicent's home
- 2
Willie loses the cash
In a moment of carelessness, Willie loses the $2,000 cash immediately after receiving it. The missing money triggers suspicion and sets off a chain of misadventures.
When:Soon after Where:Town
- 3
Willie realizes Skinner robbed him
After a brief encounter, Willie spots Skinner with the money and deduces that Skinner is the thief. The realization pivots the plot toward Skinner and Rocky's involvement.
When:Later that day Where:Skinner's real estate office
- 4
Rocky Banister's robberies spread fear
A professional thief, Rocky Banister, begins terrorizing the town with daring robberies. The town grows nervous as the crimes mount.
When:Over the next days Where:Town
- 5
Millicent hides a gun
Millicent becomes increasingly anxious about the rising danger and keeps a gun close at hand in the house. The threat of violence hangs over their home.
When:Evening Where:Millicent's home
- 6
Willie borrows the gun and confronts Skinner
Willie borrows Millicent's gun and confronts Skinner, and during the encounter he seizes the $2,000. The act marks a turning point as he tries to retrieve the money.
When:Shortly after Where:Skinner's office
- 7
Money turns out to be in Willie's wallet
Back home, Willie discovers the missing money has actually been in his own wallet all along. He breathes a sigh of relief, but the relief is short-lived as new trouble looms.
When:Shortly after Where:Willie's home
- 8
Rocky steals all $4,000
Before Willie can return the money or apologize, Rocky breaks in and steals all $4,000. The enormous theft deepens the suspicions against Willie and escalates the crisis.
When:Moment later Where:Willie's home
- 9
Willie is jailed as Rocky's accomplice
Willie is accused of being Rocky's accomplice and is sent to jail. The mounting pressure tests his alibis while the investigation continues.
When:After the theft Where:Town jail
- 10
Jail break and Willie’s note
During a jail breakout, Willie slips a note to the police, hoping to clear his name or point toward Rocky. The chaotic moment intensifies the pursuit.
When:During the breakout Where:Jail
- 11
Police close in on Rocky
The police catch up just in time to arrest Rocky, bringing the thief to justice and providing an opportunity to resolve the case. The chase highlights Willie's indirect hero status.
When:Immediately after the breakout Where:Town streets / police scene
- 12
Willie hailed as a town hero
With Rocky captured, the police proclaim Willie a hero, recognizing his role in the events that saved the day. Millicent and the townspeople celebrate the outcome.
When:End of the events Where:Police station / town
Who Are the Main Characters in Baby Face Harrington?
5 characters, among them Willie Harrington (Charles Butterworth), Millicent Harrington (Una Merkel) and Skinner (Donald Meek): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- WH
Willie Harrington (Charles Butterworth)
Played by Charles Butterworth
A well-meaning but bumbling husband whose pursuit of money spurs a sequence of comic misadventures. He directly interacts with Skinner over the cash, and although he is accused of complicity during the chaos, his practical actions ultimately contribute to solving the case. His arc blends naiveté with a growing, if accidental, courage under pressure.
- 🤵 Husband
- 💫 Reluctant hero
-
Millicent Harrington (Una Merkel)
Played by Una Merkel
Millicent is money-minded and focused on securing a comfortable life for herself and Willie. Her preoccupation with wealth and status motivates many of her decisions and fuels the tension as the town confronts the thefts. Her relationship with Willie provides the domestic counterpoint to the caper’s chaos.
- 🤵 Wife
- 💫 Money-minded
-
Skinner (Donald Meek)
Played by Donald Meek
A real-estate agent who becomes entangled in the money exchange at the heart of the plot. His interaction with Willie sets off a chain of events involving theft and suspicion, highlighting his opportunistic but non-heroic role in the caper. He represents the everyday character pulled into a larger crime-riddled situation.
- 🏢 Real-estate
- 🗝️ Schemer
-
Rocky Banister (Nat Pendleton)
Played by Nat Pendleton
A professional thief whose bold robberies terrorize the town and propel the central conflict. Rocky's actions escalate the stakes and push Willie and Skinner into a frantic game of cat and mouse. His eventual capture drives the resolution and exposes the caper’s frailties.
- 🕵️ Thief
- 💥 Antagonist
- RH
Ronald Harrington (Harvey Stephens)
Played by Harvey Stephens
Millicent's old beau, an aspirational figure of success who contrasts with Willie’s ordinary life. Ronald’s success serves as a social benchmark that intensifies Millicent's desires and adds a layer of romantic-comedy tension to the story. His presence helps frame the stakes of attaining financial security.
- 🏆 Rival
- 💫 Aspiration
Where and When Is Baby Face Harrington Set?
Baby Face Harrington is set in Small town (1930s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1930s
Set in the early 1930s, the film reflects an era of economic strain that shapes people's decisions. The plot hinges on money, insurance, and opportunistic schemes that feel both risky and ridiculous. The period backdrop provides a satirical mirror to the ambitious schemes and the resilience of ordinary folks.
Where
Small town
Set in a mid-sized American town, the story unfolds around a real-estate office and the everyday bustle of local life. The town serves as a backdrop for a comic crime caper, mixing ordinary routines with unexpected thefts and confrontations. Its close-knit atmosphere amplifies the consequences when a robbery spirals into a town-wide chase.
- 🏙️ Small town
- 🎭 Comedy
- 💼 Heist/Crime
What Are the Themes of Baby Face Harrington?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Greed, Deception and Redemption.
-
01
Greed
Money drives the action from the opening, with Millicent's fixation on wealth and Willie's decision to cash an insurance policy triggering the caper. The pursuit of cash leads to misdeeds, mistaken loyalties, and chaotic consequences for the town. The humor foregrounds how greed distorts judgment, while practical ingenuity and luck steer the outcome toward a lighter ending.
-
02
Deception
A web of schemes, disguises, and misdirections propels the plot. Willie pretends to be innocent while Rocky and Skinner operate behind the scenes, creating a comic maze of motives. A note left during a breakout and the town’s mistaken assumptions heighten the tension in a playful, suspenseful arc.
-
03
Redemption
An ordinary husband becomes a symbolic hero as the story unfolds. Despite his initial bumbling, Willie’s actions and the town’s eventual acknowledgment turn the caper into a testament to resilience. The resolution offers a feel-good payoff that underscores the movie’s upbeat tone.
What Kind of Film Is Baby Face Harrington?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A lighthearted farcical comedy featuring a hapless everyman caught in a series of comical mishaps that turn him into an accidental celebrity pursued by both police and media.
- comic chaos
- farce
- hijinks
- clumsy protagonist
- small-town comedy
- lighthearted chase
- mistaken identity
- comic misunderstandings
- crime comedy
- attempted success
Quiz
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