Based on the Depression-era bildungsroman memoir of writer A. E. Hotchner, the film follows the story of a boy struggling to survive on his own in a hotel in St. Louis after his mother is committed to a sanatorium with tuberculosis. His father, a German immigrant and traveling salesman working for the Hamilton Watch Company, is off on long trips from which the boy cannot be certain he will return.

Aaron Kurlander

Mr. Kurlander

Mrs. Kurlander

Miss Mathey

Mr. Mungo

Lydia

Lester

Ben

Patrolman Burns

Ella McShane

Mrs. McShane

Billy Thompson

Christina Sebastian

Mr. Sandoz

Elevator Operator

Principal Stellwater
August 20, 1993

Aaron Kurlander

Mr. Kurlander

Mrs. Kurlander

Miss Mathey

Mr. Mungo

Lydia

Lester

Ben

Patrolman Burns

Ella McShane

Mrs. McShane

Billy Thompson

Christina Sebastian

Mr. Sandoz

Elevator Operator

Principal Stellwater
