Jeffrey Evans (Walter Pidgeon), an American ambassador to Mexico, is the devoted single parent of his teenage daughter Christine (Jane Powell). Christine takes great satisfaction in managing her father's affairs and spending time with him. When Jeffrey insists Christine attend a party where her childhood friend Stanley Owen (Roddy McDowall), now sixteen, awaits her, Christine retaliates by gifting Stanley one of her father’s expensive pipes. Misinterpreting the gesture, Stanley believes he is finally a man and asks Christine to be his girl, but she declines, citing her busy life. Christine’s friend Yvette Baranga (Helene Stanley), daughter of the French Ambassador, asks to attend one of Jeffrey's upcoming parties. Christine agrees, unaware that Yvette secretly harbors feelings for her father. Christine convinces Jeffrey to let her plan the party. Meanwhile, she makes amends with Stanley and secures singer Toni Karpathy’s (Ilona Massey) agreement to perform. Unknown to Christine, Toni is a former love interest of her father. Christine then visits the acclaimed pianist José Iturbi (played by himself), who is impressed by her organizational skills and her singing. He invites her to perform in his concert, but she declines due to travel plans. The party is a success, although Christine misses much of it preparing. Her mood lifts when José not only performs but gifts her a corsage, inciting Stanley’s jealousy. As the week progresses, Jeffrey spends time with Toni, prompting a suspicious Christine to sneak into a nightclub with Stanley to spy on them. When Christine sees her father and Toni together, she leaves despondently, lamenting to Stanley that no one needs her anymore. Inspired by José's earlier praise, she dreams of marrying him, despite their age difference, upsetting Stanley further. Eventually, both Christine and Jeffrey cancel their plans to leave—Christine to perform in José's concert. Later, Stanley confides in Jeffrey about Christine’s growing affection for José. Although initially dismissive, Jeffrey grows concerned after seeing Christine's drawing of the pianist. Yvette visits, resulting in a misunderstanding with Jeffrey about romantic intentions. Ultimately, Jeffrey confirms with José that he views Christine only platonically. Christine meets José’s grandchildren and realizes her infatuation is misplaced. After several comical misunderstandings—most notably the French ambassador trying to arrange a marriage between Jeffrey and Yvette—Jeffrey reassures Christine that facing her problems is best. Christine decides to stay, performing in the concert with her father, Toni, and Stanley proudly watching from the audience. Cast: - Walter Pidgeon as Jeffrey Evans - Jane Powell as Christine Evans - José Iturbi as Himself - Roddy McDowall as Stanley Owen - Ilona Massey as Countess Toni Karpathy - Xavier Cugat as Himself - Hugo Haas as Angus, Evans' butler - Helene Stanley as Yvette Baranga - Mikhail Rasumny as Baranga - William "Bill" Phillips as Sam, Evans' chauffeur - Amparo Iturbi as Herself - Tonia Hero as Mouse (Iturbi Grandchild) - Teresa Hero as Mouse (Iturbi Grandchild) - Fidel Castro as Extra (uncredited) Runtime: 128 minutes.