Ugly duckling Janie Farnsworth is a student at Pennington High School, an exclusive boarding school for the children of famous Hollywood entertainers. She has a crush on Charles Grant, Jr., who is the writer and producer of the upcoming school play, but Chuck thinks that she is too untalented and unglamorous to have a part in his production. Janie's life is further complicated by her parents, Curtis Farnsworth and Eve Hawthorne, a famed acting couple who have paid more attention to their careers than to their daughter. Although Curtis is still big at the boxoffice, Eve's popularity has waned as she has gotten older, and the studio wants to re-team Curtis with a younger actress. Rather than let Eve know, Curtis decides to retire, and brings Janie home from school for moral support on the day he informs Eve of his decision. Eve, believing that Curtis is ruining her career, is distraught and the couple have a terrible fight. When Janie returns to school, she auditions for Chuck, but he derides her lack of acting and dancing ability. Later that evening, however, Chuck discovers that Janie has a terrific singing voice and makes her the star of his show. Janie is dismayed by the taunting of the other kids, however, who tease her about reports that her parents are separting. When Eve confirms that the rumors are true, and that she is going to vacation at the Lake Arrowhead ranch of her friends, Jason and Julia Rhodes, Janie is determined to get her mother to pay attention to her. The school principal, Miss Pennington, arranges for the kids to rehearse their show at the ranch, but Janie still has trouble getting her mother to listen to her sing. While trying to cope with her mother, Janie misleads the other kids into thinking that Chuck has given her his pledge pin. Her mission with Eve a failure, Janie returns with the other kids to the school, where her attempts to "glamorize" herself with makeup, false eyelashes and high heels result in laughter. Janie tries to run away, but Chuck, alerted by Janie's roomate, Texas Gleason, finds her. They are photographed by a newshound, however, and the resulting publicity about a potential elopement horrifies their parents. Eve, Curtis and Charles Grant, Sr. descend on the school and demand that their children be withdrawn at once. As Janie and Chuck discover that they really are attracted to each other, Eve and Curtis reconcile while packing Janie's things. Miss Pennington gently convinces the parents that they have not been looking after their childrens' best interests, and that they should let Chuck and Janie stay for the show. Eve, Curtis and Grant then join the appreciative audience as Janie and Chuck star in the hit show, during which Chuck gives Janie his pin.