Naughty but Nice (1939) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A conservative professor enters popular songwriting, encounters exploitation and legal danger, and is ultimately defended by his family.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Professor Enters Swing

Professor Donald Hardwick opposes swing music but travels to New York to publish his symphony. With Linda McKay's assistance, he accidentally creates a hit swing song.

Key Events

• Hardwick Rejects Swing — Hardwick lectures students against swing music and jitterbugging. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick Location: Winfield College
• Journey To New York — Hardwick travels to New York hoping to publish his symphony. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick Location: New York City
• Search For A Publisher — Hardwick pursues publication for his symphony. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick Location: New York City
• Linda Joins The Song — Aspiring lyricist Linda McKay assists Hardwick with a new song. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick, Linda McKay Location: New York City
• Spinach Song Becomes Hit — They accidentally create the hit song about spinach and milk. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick, Linda McKay Location: New York City

Academic Disapproval

Hardwick's unexpected success causes disfavor with the dean of Winfield College. After accidentally becoming drunk, he promises to remain in New York for the summer.

Key Events

• Dean Withdraws Favor — Hardwick falls out of favor with the college dean. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick, Dean Burton, Winfield College Location: Winfield College
• The Teetotaler Gets Drunk — Hardwick accidentally becomes drunk despite being a teetotaler. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick Location: New York City
• Summer Songwriting Promise — Hardwick promises to stay in New York and write songs with Linda. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick, Linda McKay Location: New York City
• Second Hit Song — Hardwick and Linda write another successful song. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick, Linda McKay Location: New York City

A Run Of Hit Songs

Hardwick and Linda continue writing together and produce three more hit songs. Their success increases Hardwick's value to people seeking commercial advantage.

Key Events

• Third Hit Song — Their songwriting partnership produces a third hit. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick, Linda McKay Location: New York City
• Fourth Hit Song — They complete three additional hit songs in total. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick, Linda McKay Location: New York City
• Zelda Targets Hardwick — Zelda Manion sees an opportunity in Hardwick's songwriting talents. Characters: Zelda Manion, Professor Donald Hardwick Location: New York City

A Contract Built On Deception

Zelda Manion exploits Hardwick's talents by getting him drunk and tricking him into signing a publishing contract. Joe Dirk then becomes Hardwick's new lyricist.

Key Events

• Zelda Targets Hardwick — Zelda Manion sees an opportunity in Hardwick's songwriting talents. Characters: Zelda Manion, Professor Donald Hardwick Location: New York City
• Zelda Gets Him Drunk — Zelda inebriates Hardwick to make him vulnerable. Characters: Zelda Manion, Professor Donald Hardwick Location: New York City
• Contract Is Signed — Zelda tricks Hardwick into signing with her publisher. Characters: Zelda Manion, Professor Donald Hardwick Location: New York City
• Joe Becomes Lyricist — Joe Dirk becomes Hardwick's new lyricist. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick, Joe Dirk Location: New York City
• Classical Music Is Copied — Joe copies a classical piece of music. Characters: Joe Dirk, Professor Donald Hardwick Location: New York City

The Trial And The Defense

Joe copies a classical piece and signs Hardwick's name to it, causing a trial. Hardwick's aunts establish that the earlier song came from a public-domain work, and the case is dismissed.

Key Events

• Classical Music Is Copied — Joe copies a classical piece of music. Characters: Joe Dirk, Professor Donald Hardwick Location: New York City
• Hardwick's Name Is Used — Joe signs Hardwick's name to the copied piece. Characters: Joe Dirk, Professor Donald Hardwick Location: New York City
• Hardwick Faces Trial — Hardwick goes to trial over the copied music. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick, Joe Dirk, Aunt Penelope Hardwick, Aunt Annabella Hardwick, Aunt Henrietta Hardwick Location: Courtroom
• Aunts Present Their Defense — Hardwick's aunts show the earlier song came from public-domain material. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick, Aunt Penelope Hardwick, Aunt Annabella Hardwick, Aunt Henrietta Hardwick Location: Courtroom
• The Case Is Dismissed — The songwriter-judge dismisses the case against Hardwick. Characters: Professor Donald Hardwick, Aunt Penelope Hardwick, Aunt Annabella Hardwick, Aunt Henrietta Hardwick Location: Courtroom

Story Breakdown

• Academic Conservatism — Hardwick begins as a professor who openly rejects swing music and jitterbugging.
  • Anti-Swing Lecture — Hardwick lectures his students against swing music and jitterbugging.
  • Dean's Disapproval — His later swing success causes disfavor with the dean of Winfield College.
• New York Ambition — Hardwick travels to New York seeking publication for his symphony.
  • Symphony Publication — Hardwick hopes to have his symphony published in New York.
  • Linda's Assistance — Aspiring lyricist Linda McKay helps him create a popular song.
• Unexpected Popularity — Hardwick's accidental move into swing songwriting transforms his professional prospects.
  • Spinach And Milk Hit — Hardwick and Linda create the hit song "Hooray for Spinach, Hooray for Milk."
  • Three More Hits — They remain in New York and write three additional hit songs.
• Summer Partnership — After accidentally becoming drunk, Hardwick commits to continuing his songwriting work with Linda.
  • Accidental Drunkenness — The teetotaling Hardwick accidentally becomes drunk.
  • New York Commitment — He promises to stay in New York for the summer and write songs with Linda.
• Zelda's Exploitation — Zelda Manion uses Hardwick's vulnerability and talent to obtain a publishing contract.
  • Inebriated Composer — Zelda gets Hardwick drunk as part of her scheme.
  • Tricked Contract — She tricks him into signing a contract with her publisher.
• Plagiarism Trial — Joe Dirk's misconduct places Hardwick in court, where his aunts help establish the work's public-domain source.
  • Joe Copies Music — Joe copies a classical piece and signs Hardwick's name to it.
  • Family Defense — Hardwick's aunts convince the judge that the earlier song came from a public-domain work.
  • Case Dismissed — The judge dismisses the case against Hardwick.

Directed by

Ray Enright

Key Cast

• Ann Sheridan — Zelda Manion
• Dick Powell — Professor Donald Hardwick
• Gale Page — Linda McKay
• Helen Broderick — Aunt Martha Hogan
• Ronald Reagan — Eddie