West Point Widow (1942)
Director:
Robert Siodmak
Writers:
F. Hugh Herbert, Hanns Kräly
Stars:
Anne Shirley, Richard Carlson, Richard Denning
Nurse Nancy Hull keeps her baby Jennifer a secret from her coworkers and employers at Lexington Hospital, because she fears they will misunderstand the absence of the girl's father. Nancy turns down all invitations until intern Jimmy Krueger invites her to an Army football game. Nancy is thrilled by the game but refuses to invite Jimmy to her apartment afterward. When he goes in uninvited to return her gloves, he discovers her baby and learns that Nancy had been married to Army football star Rhody Graves, Jr. whom she saw play that night. Nancy had the marriage annulled so that Rhody could pursue his career as a cadet at West Point Military Academy, which does not accept married cadets. Although Rhody does not know he is a father, he promised to remarry Nancy upon graduation, and Nancy now happily anticipates the event. Jimmy falls in love with Nancy, but remains only a platonic friend and a father figure for little Jennifer. With the arrival of spring, the hospital workers learn about Jennifer, and mistakenly believe that Jimmy is her father. Hospital director Dr. Spencer meets with Jimmy and refuses to believe that he is not Jennifer's father. Spencer issues an ultimatum that Jimmy marry Nancy by the end of the month or his job will be in jeopardy. With two weeks to go until the West Point graduation, Nancy resigns from the hospital. Jimmy professes his love for her and his belief that Rhody has forgotten her, but Nancy rejects him, so he enlists in the army. Nancy excitedly prepares for Rhody's arrival, but goes into shock when he meets with her and explains that he is engaged to marry someone else. Nancy, stunned by disappointment, initially does not tell Rhody about his daughter, but then beseeches the Graves family, insisting that Rhody keep his promise to her. Rhody reluctantly consents until Jimmy enters unannounced and claims that Nancy is crazy and is trying to blackmail the family. Jennifer calls him "daddy" and to the relief of the Graves family, Nancy and Jennifer leave with Jimmy. Jimmy insists that he will be Jennifer's father, and Nancy accepts his proposal.