Rebellious Daughters Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Rebellious Daughters (1938). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
On the eve of Barbara “Babe” Webster’s birthday, the home where she longs for warmth feels cold and distant. Babe Verna Hillie is the sole beacon in a family where her mother, Mrs. Webster Vivien Oakland, is unloving, and her father, Dad Elliott Oscar O’Shea, is about to be out of town. Left alone with her sadness, Babe reaches out to her friend Eddie to plan something for the evening. Eddie pitches a provocative idea, asking Babe to > “dig up a live one for” for his friend, Bill Evans Dick Hogan; Babe counters that only the dead have to be dug up and promises to see if she can find something dainty but dumb.
Determined to escape the chill of home, Babe contacts her old friend Claire Elliott Marjorie Reynolds. Claire’s father is strict and wary of night life, but Babe persuades him to let her and Claire go out. In a lively night club, the two men return to greet old friends while the girls stay at their table. Flo Russell Sheila Bromley joins them and pitches an enticing opportunity: she works for Mr. Gilman, the exclusive gown-shop owner in New York who would love to have them as models for his shop. The mood shifts as the evening wears on—what begins as a chance for a night out slowly reveals a darker undercurrent. The group decides to move toward a different kind of thrill, and the night takes them closer to Gilman’s glamorous—but perilous—world.
Back with Claire’s father, a brush with the law forces a pause, and the girls must return home. Yet the spark of possibility remains, and Babe and Claire eventually decide to head to New York to work for Gilman. They are hired by the shop, but they soon uncover a second, sinister racket: blackmailing wealthy clients by secretly photographing them in compromising situations. The operation is run by a gang that includes Al, the Chief Henchman Al Hill, and others who will stop at nothing to protect their scheme. Among the moving parts of this scheme, a model named Kelly (alias Rita Houston) Lita Chevret becomes entangled in the intrigue, hinting at the danger that lies beneath the glittering surface.
As the tale unfolds, Babe and Claire are pulled between ambitions, loyalty, and fear. The fashion world’s glamour masks manipulation and risk, and the girls must navigate difficult choices about how far they will go to secure their futures. The narrative threads through moments of suspense, moral tension, and the pursuit of a better life, all while the shadow of blackmail and exploitation looms over the dreamlike Manhattan backdrop.
Rebellious Daughters Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of Rebellious Daughters (1938) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Babe is left alone on the eve of her birthday
The night before Babe's birthday, her mother leaves town and won't take her along. Her father is also out of town, leaving Babe feeling abandoned and sad. She reaches out to her friend Eddie to plan something for the evening.
Eddie asks Babe to dig up a live one for Bill Evans
Eddie asks Babe to dig up a live one for his friend Bill Evans, hinting at something exciting. Babe jokes that only the dead can be dug up, but she agrees to look for something dainty but dumb. The exchange sets the tone for their improvised evening plans.
Babe reaches out to Claire Elliott
Babe contacts her old friend Claire Elliott, who would love to go out but faces a strict father who won't allow night club outings. The conversation establishes Claire as a potential companion for the night. The plan is to recruit her for the outing.
Babe persuades Claire's father to let her go
Babe goes to Claire's home to persuade her father to let them go clubbing. After a tense discussion, he is convinced to permit it. Claire decides to join Babe for the night out.
Nightclub outing where Flo Russell appears
In the nightclub, two of the boys leave to greet old friends, leaving Babe and Claire to mingle. Flo Russell approaches their table and reveals she works for Mr. Gilman, who owns an exclusive gown salon in New York and wants them as models. The encounter hints at a new opportunity unfolding.
Gilman introduced as the modeling opportunity
Flo's introduction connects Babe and Claire to a possible modeling job with Gilman, offering a chance to move to New York. The girls weigh this opportunity as a potential escape from their current home life. The moment marks the shift from casual night out to career prospects.
The group plans to leave for another party
The boys return with the plan to go to another party, and Claire is pressured to join the group. The night continues to pull them away from their homes. The atmosphere grows adventurous and risky as they follow the lure of new experiences.
Police stop and parental rebuke
On the way, they are stopped by the police. Claire's father drives them home and scolds them, forbidding her from stepping out again. The scare serves as a concrete boundary against their reckless plans.
Babe and Claire decide to run away to New York
Babe and Claire decide to leave home to pursue work in New York for Gilman. They commit to a new life away from their families. The decision marks a turning point in their relationship with their surroundings.
Hired by Gilman with a dangerous revelation
They are hired by Gilman, but soon discover he runs a racket in his shop: blackmailing rich customers by photographing them in suspicious situations. The job is no longer just modeling; it carries moral and legal peril. The moment signals a dark turn in their path.
Discovery of the blackmail operation
The girls learn that Gilman uses the studio to photograph clients for blackmail. This discovery reframes their work and raises questions about loyalty, safety, and survival in their new life. They must decide how to respond to the illicit scheme.
The story evolves beyond the initial plan
With the racket exposed, the narrative evolves as Babe and Claire navigate the consequences of their choices in New York. The future remains uncertain as they confront the moral costs of their new life. The timeline captures how quickly ambition can blur into danger.
Rebellious Daughters Characters
Explore all characters from Rebellious Daughters (1938). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Barbara 'Babe' Webster
A spoiled, emotionally neglected young woman who craves attention and approval from her parents. She schemes to escape home life, persuading her father and maneuvering with friends to spend an evening out. Her quick wit hides a willingness to take risks and push boundaries.
Claire Elliott
Mr. Elliott's daughter, torn between family expectations and a desire to break free. She yearns for a night of normalcy and fun, ultimately joining Babe's plans. She balances defiance with a sense of responsibility.
Mrs. Webster
Barbara's mother, cold and unaffectionate, who keeps a tight leash on her daughter's social life. Her absence in providing warmth compounds Babe's longing for attention. She represents the strict, controlling parent archetype.
Dad Elliott
Barbara's father, often absent because he travels, which creates a gap Babe tries to fill. He is protective and reluctant to let his daughter go out. His absence becomes a catalyst for Babe's late-night plans.
Mr. Gilman
Owner of an exclusive gown salon who lures the girls with modeling opportunities while running a blackmail racket. He embodies the seductive glamour that hides criminal manipulation. His plan tests the girls' ethics and loyalty.
Flo Russell
A glamorous woman who works for Mr. Gilman and recruits Babe and Claire to model for his salon. She becomes a bridge between the girls and the darker side of the fashion business. Her role reveals the allure and danger of exploiting ambition.
Bill Evans
A friend of Eddie and a male presence who arrives with plans and temptation. He is part of the night-out scheme and becomes entangled in the group's risky decisions. His presence amplifies the film's tension around consequences.
Eddie
A friend who catalyzes Babe's plan to lift the evening from ordinary sadness into adventure. He pushes Babe toward finding someone to entertain and organize events with Bill Evans. He represents peer pressure and risky improvisation.
Rebellious Daughters Settings
Learn where and when Rebellious Daughters (1938) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Location
New York, Barbara's home, Night club
The action shifts from Barbara's family home to New York City's nightlife and fashion scenes. The night club outings and the exclusive gown salon scene situate the film in a glamorous but risky urban world. New York provides a contrast between family constraints and the lure of independence for the young women.
Rebellious Daughters Themes
Discover the main themes in Rebellious Daughters (1938). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Independence vs Control
Barbara 'Babe' Webster seeks autonomy in a restrictive family environment. The film follows her attempts to break free by leaving home and pulling her friends into plans that defy her parents. The tension between parental control and a young woman's desire for agency drives the story.
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Crime & Blackmail
Behind the glittering fashion world lies a darker subtext. Mr. Gilman runs a racket that uses staged photographs to blackmail wealthy clients. The girls are drawn into this web, revealing the danger and moral compromise behind appearances.
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Performance & Illusion
Models and performers are used as pawns in a game of image and manipulation. The salon's model work masks a scheme that preys on the rich. The film critiques how glamour can be built on deception and fear.
Rebellious Daughters Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of Rebellious Daughters (1938). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In a cramped household where warmth is scarce, Babe dreams of a life that stretches far beyond the familiar walls of her parents’ home. With her birthday looming and her father away, she feels the pull of independence stronger than any family expectation. Fueled by a restless spirit and a longing for a brighter future, she decides to leave, stepping out into a city that promises both opportunity and uncertainty.
The bustling streets of New York soon lead her to a sleek dress shop owned by the enigmatic Mr. Gilman. The shop’s glittering display windows and whispered promises of model work offer a seductive escape from the ordinary. There, Babe befriends Claire, another young woman eager to trade small‑town limits for the allure of runway lights. Together they navigate the polished corridors of fashion, where silk and sequins blend with an undercurrent that feels both exciting and slightly unsettling.
As the two women settle into their new roles, the glittering façade of the shop hints at complexities that lie just beneath the surface. Their ambitions mingle with the subtle tension of a world that can be as demanding as it is glamorous, suggesting that the path to a brighter future may involve navigating shadows as well as spotlight. The film balances a tone of hopeful rebellion with an undercurrent of intrigue, inviting the audience to wonder how far Babe and Claire will go to claim the lives they’ve imagined.
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