Laura Bayles has been a devoted educator for 38 years. Over that time she has risen to become the principal of Avondale High School. When a local petty gambler, "Click" Dade, begins to prey on her students, she takes a leading position in an attempt to force the gambling location to close down. Dade had been one of her former pupils. Her efforts are opposed by two local politicians, Holland and Joseph Killaine. Holland is a small time political boss, while Killaine is the superintendent of schools. So Bayles decides to fight fire with fire. With a stake of $250, and a pair of Dade's own loaded dice, she wins enough money to open a club to compete with Dade's, taking away his business. However, after an incident in which Killaine's daughter, Gerry, causes a fight at Bayles' club, causing the club's closure. Killaine then presses his advantage, demanding that Bayles also resign as principal, which will make her ineligible for a pension, being two years short of retirement.
Upon hearing of her fate, Gerry goes to Bayles to apologize for her actions, and their result. An apology which Bayles accepts. Meanwhile, Dade has contacted another one of Bayles' former pupils, Gavin Gordon, who has risen to become President of the United States. Gordon is on a tour of the country and is in the area of his old hometown. After Dade also apologizes to Bayles, the President arrives at the school and delivers a sentimental speech extolling the virtues of the education profession, motherhood, and Mrs. Bayles. Her job is saved.
RKO announced in September 1934 that the start of production was imminent for Portrait of Laura Bayles, which was one of the working titles for this film.[2] It was reported in early October that the film was in production for RKO,[3] and by the end of the month it had finished production and was in the process of being edited.[4] In the middle of November, it was revealed that the title of the picture had been changed to Grand Old Girl.[5]
By the end of 1934, the release date of the film was announced to be January 18.[6] Early in February 1935 the general release date for the film was revealed as February 22, and would open at the Astor Theatre.[7]
The Film Daily felt the film was worth watching, calling it a "Neat little human interest story", they rated the cinematography A-1, and said the direction was first rate. May Robson, they said, had found her "ideal role".[9]Motion Picture Daily also enjoyed the film, extolling the expert direction of John Robertson, felt Robson's performance was outstanding. They felt Andriot's photography was good, and enjoyed the performances of Hale, Girardot, and Gordon. Overall, they felt the film was "entertainment for the entire family."[10]
Notes
The picture was dedicated to the "school teachers of America",[11] and RKO developed a separate advertising strategy targeting this fact, completely separate from their usual marketing program.[12]
