Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm 1938

Drama

Music

Family

Runtime

80 mins

Language

English

Directed by

Allan Dwan

Made by

20th Century Fox

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Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Rebecca Winstead, Shirley Temple and her stepfather Henry Kipper, William Demarest, are among a crowd of hopefuls entering a singing contest titled “Little Miss America” that doubles as a promotional campaign for a cereal brand. The first entrant has an unappealing voice, and the second falters under mic fright before she can finish.

To give Rebecca an edge, the ad executive Tony Kent, [Randolph Scott], and the cereal company’s head, Cyrus Bartlett, [Paul Harvey], listen on the radio and fall in love with Rebecca’s singing. From his office, Tony tells his assistant Orville Smithers, [Jack Haley], that this is the contestant he wants. Misunderstanding Tony’s meaning, Orville sends Rebecca and Henry away. Enraged by the mistake, Tony orders Orville to track Rebecca down, but by the time he acts, Rebecca and Henry have already left the building.

Henry takes Rebecca to Sunnybrook Farm to live with her Aunt Miranda Wilkins, [Helen Westley], after another eviction for non-payment of rent. Rebecca quickly bonds with Aunt Miranda and her cousin Gwen Warren, [Gloria Stuart], and she discovers she loves the rustic life and doesn’t want to leave. She then meets a new neighbor who turns out to be Tony Kent, though neither recognizes the other from their city encounters; Tony, meanwhile, is seen with Lola Lee, [Phyllis Brooks], a singer he’s involved with. Rebecca and Tony become friends, and during a visit, Gwen also stops by; Orville arrives again to claim he’s found Rebecca, but Gwen’s piano-playing reveals Rebecca’s voice. Orville recognizes it and exclaims, “That’s the girl,” saving the campaign. Yet Aunt Miranda opposes Rebecca singing on the radio and forbids it. Rebecca and Gwen devise a plan to transmit the performance from Tony’s home rather than the city studio.

Lola Lee arrives late for rehearsal and realizes Tony has feelings for Gwen. Lola and Orville begin rehearsing “Alone With You” with the orchestra, which evolves into the actual evening performance. Tony’s butler, Homer Busby, [Slim Summerville], helps Rebecca descend from her second-story bedroom but accidentally knocks over the ladder, trapping him in Rebecca’s room.

Miranda hears the broadcast and believes the voice sounds like Rebecca’s, but she assumes Rebecca is still in her room. Homer, rocked by a chair, is discovered by Miranda; he begs forgiveness for missing their wedding 25 years earlier. She forgives him and allows Rebecca to continue to sing, but takes her straight home afterward.

Henry, now with his new wife, pursues guardianship to claim control of Rebecca’s talents and plots to sell her singing contract to a rival company of Tony’s. Tony and Gwen locate Rebecca at the local broadcast station and offer $100,000 for the contract, but the rival executive refuses. When Rebecca attempts to sing, her voice falters, and a doctor diagnoses laryngitis, predicting rest for a year or more. The ad executive tears up the contract and Tony offers Henry $5,000 to yield guardianship to Rebecca’s Aunt Miranda. Henry agrees, and Rebecca reveals that she never really lost her voice. The film closes with Gwen and Tony together, Lola Lee and Orville as a couple, and Miranda and Homer as a pair, while Rebecca performs a military-style dance on stage.

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Contest open and first auditions

Rebecca and her stepfather Henry attend the Little Miss America contest, hoping a win will launch her singing career. The crowd watches as the first entrants falter—one has an unappealing voice, another is silenced by mic fright—setting the stage for Rebecca's moment. Henry quietly schemes to help Rebecca stand out.

Day of the competition Contest venue

Henry's bribe attempt and Tony's interest

Henry tries to charm the station's receptionist to smooth Rebecca's path to the stage. Tony Kent, the ad executive, hears Rebecca sing on the radio and is immediately struck by her talent. However, Henry's confidence is not shared by everyone, and tension begins to simmer.

During the audition day Radio station reception

Orville misinterprets and Rebecca is sent away

Tony tells his assistant Orville that he has found the contestant he wants. Misunderstanding Tony's meaning, Orville sends Rebecca and Henry away, thinking they will ruin the audition. The misinterpretation triggers the first big obstacle Rebecca must overcome.

Same day Radio station

Evicted and moved to Sunnybrook Farm

Henry and Rebecca are evicted for nonpayment of rent and move to Aunt Miranda's Sunnybrook Farm. The abrupt relocation takes Rebecca from the city into a pastoral setting she soon comes to love. The change marks the start of a new chapter in her life.

After eviction Sunnybrook Farm

Rebecca meets Aunt Miranda and Gwen

Rebecca is introduced to Aunt Miranda and her cousin Gwen at Sunnybrook Farm. She discovers a sense of belonging there and decides she never wants to leave. The farm's rhythms begin to shape her dreams.

Early days after arrival Sunnybrook Farm

Rebecca meets the neighbor Tony Kent

A new neighbor turns out to be Tony Kent, though neither recognizes the other yet. Tony is also involved with singer Lola Lee, adding a layer of romantic tension. The two form an easy friendship without knowing their future connection to Rebecca's career.

Shortly after arrival Sunnybrook Farm vicinity

Lunch visit and looming search for Rebecca

Rebecca and Gwen visit Tony for lunch, and Gwen stays behind afterward. Orville arrives to inform Tony that he has lost Rebecca, heightening the stakes. The casual visit becomes a turning point as hidden identities begin to converge.

During the lunch visit Tony's home

Gwen's piano reveal and Rebecca's voice recognized

Gwen sits at the piano and Rebecca takes the microphone to sing, and Orville instantly recognizes the voice as Rebecca's. The ad campaign's salvation hinges on this reveal. The moment cements Rebecca's potential as the star the cereal company seeks.

During the visit Tony's home

Miranda bans radio singing and a plan forms

Miranda overhears a broadcast and believes the singer sounds like Rebecca, but assumes Rebecca is safe in her room. Disturbed by the idea of public exposure, she forbids Rebecca from singing on the radio. Rebecca and Gwen hatch a plan to transmit from Tony's home instead, bypassing the city.

During the broadcast planning Miranda's home

Lola Lee distraction and the rehearsal turns dramatic

Lola Lee arrives late to rehearsal as Tony's feelings for Gwen become clear. The rehearsal of the song collapses into an actual evening performance with an orchestra. An accidental mishap occurs when Homer, Miranda's former fiancé, helps Rebecca descend from her bedroom and knocks over a ladder.

Evening before broadcast Rehearsal studio

Homer's slip and the secret stay

Homer helps Rebecca down from her second-story bedroom but knocks over the ladder, forcing him to stay in Rebecca's room. The mishap delays their plan but preserves the chance for Rebecca to sing. The intimate moment underscores the ties between Miranda's past and the present.

Evening before broadcast Rebecca's bedroom

Guardianship battle and plan to sell the contract

Henry learns of Rebecca's singing success and, with his new wife, seeks guardianship to profit from her talent. He hisses a plan to sell her singing contract to a rival company and pressures Miranda to relinquish control. The looming legal battle heightens the stakes for Rebecca's future.

After Miranda's decision Henry's home

Contract confrontation and laryngitis ruse

Tony and Gwen locate Rebecca at the local broadcast station and attempt to buy her contract for 100,000 dollars, but a rival executive refuses. When Rebecca tries to sing, her voice seems to fail, and a doctor declares she is temporarily laryngitic. The ad executive tears up the contract, and Tony offers Henry money to surrender guardianship.

During the confrontation Local broadcast station

The reveal and resolution

Rebecca reveals that her voice is fine, having pretended to be ill. The film concludes with couples forming—Gwen and Tony, Lola Lee and Orville, Miranda and Homer—and Rebecca delivering a military-styled dance show on stage. The planned campaign is secured, and Rebecca's true talent shines.

End of the film Broadcast stage and final show

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Characters

Explore all characters from Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Rebecca Winstead (Shirley Temple)

A bright, hopeful girl whose singing talent fuels the plot. She negotiates family upheaval and guardianship with resilience, using her voice to seek independence. Her warmth and determination help bridge the gap between rural life and the big city spotlight.

🎭 Talent 👧 Protagonist 💪 Determination 🎵 Voice

Tony Kent (Randolph Scott)

A sharp, ambitious ad executive who falls for Rebecca after hearing her on the radio. He recognizes her talent and tries to secure her for the cereal campaign, balancing business with a growing personal affection. His conflict between professional ambitions and genuine feeling drives much of the plot.

💼 Business 💘 Romance 🎯 Ambition

Aunt Miranda Wilkins (Helen Westley)

A protective, practical matriarch who takes Rebecca in and resists the temptations of fame for her niece. She has a wary history with the entertainment world and Homer, adding emotional depth to the guardianship conflict. Her decision ultimately centers on Rebecca's welfare.

🏡 Matriarch 🛡️ Protective 👵 Wisdom

Henry Kipper (William Demarest)

Rebecca's scheming guardian who cares more about profit than her well-being. He tries to seize control of Rebecca's singing future and exploit it for financial gain. His actions create the central conflict that Rebecca must overcome.

💰 Greed 🧭 Antagonist 🤝 Manipulation

Gwen Warren (Gloria Stuart)

A neighbor and cousin figure who brings warmth and love into the story, often with Gwen and Tony's chemistry. She offers friendship and support to Rebecca while navigating her own feelings for Tony. Her presence broadens the social circle around Rebecca.

🎶 Music ❤️ Love Interest 🤝 Friend

Lola Lee (Phyllis Brooks)

A rival singer whose presence heightens the competitive atmosphere of the contest and the love triangle. She embodies fame's temptations and adds tension to Tony's relationship with Rebecca. Her role amplifies the drama surrounding performance and romance.

🎤 Rival 💃 Entertainer 💘 Love Interest

Orville Smithers (Jack Haley)

Tony's assistant who triggers major misunderstandings with his misread of Rebecca's identity. His comical mistakes push Rebecca toward discovery and vindication. He adds lightness to the plot while highlighting the chaos of live radio.

🤝 Assistant 🕵️ Miscommunication 😂 Comedy

Homer Busby (Slim Summerville)

Miranda's former fiancé who temporarily aids Rebecca and helps the plan unfold. His past with Miranda adds warmth and reconciliation to the story. He ultimately seeks forgiveness for past hurts.

💞 Supporting 🧭 Connector 🕊️ Reconciliation

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Settings

Learn where and when Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

1930s

The story unfolds in an era when radio was the dominant mass medium and national sponsor-backed talent contests were common. Advertising-driven campaigns tie celebrity to consumer brands, reflecting the era's culture of promotion and spectacle. The setting evokes a pre-television, Great Depression-era mood in technology and storytelling.

Location

Sunnybrook Farm, Local Broadcast Station

Sunnybrook Farm serves as the warm, rural home Rebecca loves, a place of family and belonging. The local broadcast station represents the bridge to national fame and the commercial world she must navigate. The film contrasts the tranquility of farm life with the bustle of radio promotion, showing how geography shapes opportunity.

🏡 Rural 🎵 Media presence 🗺️ Film setting

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Themes

Discover the main themes in Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🎤

Voice and Talent

Rebecca's singing voice is the engine of the plot, turning a rural girl into a national contender. The radio contest and cereal promotion monetize her gift, testing whether artistry can survive as commerce. The story probes the ethics of turning a child's talent into public spectacle. Rebecca's voice becomes a personal and social instrument of empowerment.

👪

Family and Guardianship

Rebecca's guardianship swings between loving Aunt Miranda and calculating Henry Kipper, highlighting the tension between nurture and profit. Miranda's protective stance clashes with the lure of fame, forcing Rebecca to navigate loyalty and independence. The resolution centers on Rebecca's welfare over financial gain, emphasizing familial bonds.

💘

Romance and Fame

A romance develops between Rebecca and Tony Kent, an ad executive whose professional world collides with personal affection. Misunderstandings and rivalries test their trust, while the broadcast moments heighten the emotional stakes. The story blends love with commercial ambition, suggesting that talent can fuel both relationship and opportunity.

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Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the gentle countryside of Sunnybrook Farm, a young girl with an unmistakable voice finds her world reshaped by family duty and hidden ambition. Rebecca lives under the watchful eye of her well‑meaning but firm Uncle Harry, who believes the best place for her is among the familiar fields rather than the bright lights of show business. When circumstances force Harry to place her with his sister, the story shifts to a more secluded setting ruled by the exacting Aunt Miranda, a matriarch whose devotion to propriety includes a strict ban on any public performance.

The farm itself feels like a character, its rolling hills and cozy homestead offering a bucolic backdrop that contrasts sharply with the glittering allure of the stage that calls to Rebecca’s heart. The tone balances warm nostalgia with a subtle undercurrent of longing, capturing both the comfort of small‑town life and the restless spark of a dreamer eager to be heard. Within this setting, the audience senses a gentle tension: the pull between safety and the thrill of possibility.

Enter Anthony Kent, the neighbor whose profession as a talent scout hints at a world far beyond the farm’s fences. Though initially an unfamiliar face, his quiet confidence and discreet encouragement become a catalyst for Rebecca’s concealed aspirations. Their budding friendship is framed by mutual respect and a shared belief that talent deserves a chance, even if it must be nurtured in secret. The dynamic between the earnest girl, her restrictive aunt, and the supportive scout creates a lively interplay of hope, restraint, and the promise of unexpected opportunities.

All the while, the film’s atmosphere remains light‑hearted and hopeful, inviting viewers to wonder how far a young singer might go when she is gently coaxed toward the spotlight while still anchored in the warmth of home. The story promises a charming exploration of ambition, family, and the quiet courage required to follow one’s song.

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