Alpha's been raised along scientific principles, and will make Mike Regan a great human interest story for his paper. But when his interview prompts Alpha to run away from the institute and ask him to show her some magic, Mike gets more responsibility than he bargained for. Especially since another story of his, one involving gangsters, has also come home to roost.
A foundling child (Margaret O'Brien), made the subject of a scientific experiment, reveals herself as a genius by the age of six, but at the cost of the normal joys of childhood. The situation is remedied when a compassionate police reporter (James Craig) takes her under his wing. Acting on Louis B Mayer's orders, Isobel Lennart, wrote this specially for MGM's remarkable child star, already a veteran at the age of six. The film amply demonstrates O'Brien's talent and appeal and, although an implausible exercise in sentimentality designed to tug mercilessly at the heartstrings, its saccharine content is nicely modulated by director Roy Rowland with the help of a solid supporting cast. Little Margaret, however, remains the attraction.
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Alpha | Margaret O'Brien |
| Mike Regan | James Craig |
| Katie Mallory | Marsha Hunt |
| Professor Peter Vincent | Philip Merivale |
| Packy | Keenan Wynn |
| Dr Woodring | Alan Napier |
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Director | Roy Rowland |
