Young Man with Ideas (1952)

Maxwell Webster, a humble and underappreciated lawyer based in Rock City, Montana, finds himself at a crossroads. Feeling undervalued by his partners at the Jethrow, Bowker and Clay law firm, and propelled by his wife Julie Webster's discontent, he embarks on a daring decision. The Webster family - Max, Julie, and their trio of children ranging from adolescence to infancy - uproot their lives, leaving the familiarity of Montana behind for the promise of a fresh start in Los Angeles. However, for Max to continue practicing law, he must conquer the daunting hurdle of the California bar exam. Once in the sun-soaked city of Los Angeles, life swiftly becomes a chaotic whirlwind for the earnest Max. Their new home, far from their expectations, is a rundown, cramped space that once housed a bookie, leading to a flood of unexpected telephone calls from eager bettors. This, in turn, entangles Max in a dangerous web of criminal activity, with the only saving grace being the criminals' ignorance of the home's location. Then enters Joyce Laramie, a beautiful yet twice-unsuccessful bar exam candidate from Max's preparation class, who desires a study partnership with him. This innocent association ignites sparks of misinterpretation, both from onlookers and within their own dynamic. Joyce's influence extends to securing Max a part-time job, but he finds himself ill-suited for the role of a bill collector. Here, he crosses paths with Dorianne Gray, an aspiring French nightclub singer with a flair for the dramatic, drawing him into a series of questionable situations. Max's quest to establish the life he and Julie dream of becomes an uphill battle, further complicated by Julie's insistence on returning to Montana when times get tough. Will Max manage to navigate the complexities of his new life and secure a promising future, or will he find himself crawling back to Montana, begging for his old job?

Young Man with Ideas is a comedy movie featuring Glenn Ford and directed by Mitchell Leisen.

Young Man with Ideas is currently streaming on TCM.