Freddie Steps Out

A wealthy man's son is running for high school student body president, and the boy's father tells the principal that if his son wins, he will make a sizable donation that will pay for the football team's much-needed uniforms.

The Teen-Agers are down in the dumps: their football team faces almost-certain defeat, the school paper might need to suspend publication because circulation is so low, and the principal intends to replace student performers with professionals.

Beloved teacher Miss Hinklefink inherits a western ranch, and to spend the summer with Professor Townley, she invites students Freddie, Dodie, Betty, Lee and Roy to join if Townley will co-chaperone. Sketchy real-estate agent Tom Sneed tries to persuade her to send the kids home when desperadoes rob the bank. Sneed's henchman mistakes Freddie for a baby-faced killer framed for a murder actually committed by Sneed, and ranch foreman Big Jim, also working for Sneed, tries to kill Freddie.

A Marine Sergeant wounded in overseas combat requires an operation, and the Navy psychiatrist recommends that ‘Sarge’ be given a few weeks’ rest before hospitalization. Through the Dean of San Juan Junior College, Sarge enters on a temporary basis. Meanwhile, the Teen-Agers are rehearsing a show and Freddie's worried as they have no band.

The growth of small-town juvenile crime starts a movement for the construction of a youth center. The project leaders discuss with town mayor Phineas Wharton Sr. about buying an old warehouse and rebuilding it as the Center. However, Wharton has plans to buy it himself for another project from which he would profit. But the Teen-Agers--Freddie, Dodie, Betty, Lee and Roy--now attending San Juan Junior College, think otherwise.

A photographer is murdered just outside a college dance. The body is found by Lee Watson, but promptly disappears, as it's being whisked from one point to another on campus by an ex-con night watchman. However, he isn't the killer, and Freddie, Dodie, Betty and Lee set out to find the culprit who put a big damper on their big event.

In New York City, Italian American songwriting brothers Phil and Freddie Russo turn out one successful song after another for their publisher, Sanders. However, as time goes on, their relationship sours over unrequited romantic feelings, but they're thrown together once more working on a big musical production.