She borrowed $2K, started a fashion war, and got kidnapped by accident. Business is booming, baby.
Jackie's father runs a general store that is on the brink of bankruptcy. To save it, Jackie borrows $2,000 from the local millionaire, Mr. Skinner, and renovates the store into a modern haberdashery. This sparks a rivalry with J. Smythe, a fashionable ladies' milliner from Paris who opens a shop across the street. A pair of kidnappers plot to abduct Mr. Skinner's daughter, Evelina, for ransom. They overhear Evelina mention she plans to buy a specific dress displayed in Smythe's window. However, Jackie buys the dress first, leading the criminals to kidnap her by mistake. Jackie is held in a deserted house. J. Smythe, who has developed feelings for Jackie despite their business rivalry, comes to her rescue. In a comedic turn, Jackie ends up saving him from a beating by dropping heavy jugs on the kidnappers' heads from above.
Production
Haberdashery vs. milliner set design is unexpectedly fierce.
Stunts
Jug-dropping rescue from above — practical comedy gold.
Director
William A. Seiter
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This film captures the 1920s 'New Woman' archetype — Jackie runs a business, handles money, and outsmarts criminals without male help until the very end.
Boy Crazy is considered a lost film — no known prints exist, so this summary survives through trade reviews and studio records only.
US
