Henry Aldrich Swings It (1943)

• Director
  • Hugh Bennett
• Writers
  • Val Burton
  • Muriel Roy Bolton
  • Aleen Leslie
• Stars
  • Jimmy Lydon
  • Charles Smith
  • John Litel

For this entry in the popular Henry Aldrich series, bumbling typical high school student Henry (Jimmy Lydon) catches sight of the new band teacher Louise Elliott (Marian Hall) and really likes what he sees. Quickly developing a mad crush on her, Henry goes so far as to join the band just to be near her. Although he's initially upset that she likes "square" music, she surprises him with her diversity -- it turns out she can play a mean boogie woogie when necessary. Hoping to impress the teacher, Henry agrees to take up the violin. Henry, of course, does not have a violin, which means he has to try to convince the rather tightfisted Mr. Aldrich to buy one. His task is made easier when Miss Elliott makes the request herself and Mr. Aldrich sees for himself why Henry is so anxious to impress his teacher. Henry gets the violin, but in typical fashion, it somehow gets switched with the priceless instrument of a visiting concert violinist. Before Henry discovers the mix-up, he somehow misplaces the rare violin -- and must then track it down and recover it before it's too late.