Movie spotlight
While vacationing at a boys' camp, the rambunctious Chip Winters befriends a famed composer Johnny Selden. Stuck for an inspiration for his latest operetta, Selden at last finds it when he meets Chip's gorgeous mother Irene Winters, a popular singer. Alas, her stiff-necked fiancé Walter Mays refuses to allow her to return to the stage, whereupon Rathbone spirals into a depression -- and even worse, a profound case of writers' block.
A young boy, orphaned and lonely, finds solace and purpose when he is taken in by a kindly college professor. The boy's exceptional singing talent is discovered, leading him on a journey to perform for others and bring joy through his voice. Along the way, he faces challenges and learns valuable lessons about friendship and belonging.
The film was generally well-received for its heartwarming story and Bobby Breen's charming performance, appealing primarily to family audiences of the era.
Praised for its innocent and uplifting narrative.
Bobby Breen's youthful charm and singing ability were a major draw.
A sentimental, family-friendly musical appropriate for younger viewers.
Google audience: Audience reception data from Google is not readily available for this older film.
Make a Wish was one of several films starring child singer Bobby Breen, who was often billed as 'the modern Jackie Coogan' due to his popularity in the late 1930s.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
This is quite a curious little film with Basil Rathbone ("Johnny") as a composer who takes a cabin near a boys summer camp. There he encounters an engaging, outgoing, bunch of young boys who inspire him to overcome his writer's block and pe...