A rich woman who likes to adopt animals to live in her mansion, takes in a baby gorilla and raises it as her child. Trudy is a wealthy socialite living in 1930's New York during the Great Depression and she likes to take care of animals. She along with her husband Bill live in mansion along with a menagerie of animals such as parrots, ducks, dogs, horses, critters (raccoon, porcupine), and chimpanzees. She is eccentric and dresses up the animals in human clothes but acknowledges that this was her dream since she was a little girl. She even takes the chimps out to watch a movie, much to the surprise of the moviegoers at the theater.
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One day she brings home Buddy, an orphaned baby gorilla from the zoo and takes care of it in her house. It has pneumonia, and she watches over him day and night, giving him special attention. Along with her maid and butler, they care for it until he grows. She consults an animal specialist Spatz who isn't confident that Trudy can give Buddy the unique care he needs. Nevertheless, Trudy insists on keeping Buddy believing that he is assimilating fine in his mansion habitat. Buddy eats with the family at the dinner table, has playtime, and he also helps with some chores, basically being treated as a normal human being. Buddy becomes enamored with Trudy, evidently so, that when Trudy is out, he keeps a red dress of hers as his "comfort blanket."
When the couple is invited to the Chicago World Fair for their chimps, the Lintz's attend, and bring Buddy with them against everybody's advice. Buddy's behavior cannot be predicted since he hasn't had exposure to bigger groups of people. Sure enough, when Buddy is let out of his enclosure he runs away scaring the public. The incident traumatizes him, and he goes home a different ape. He is sullen and moody, and in a violent rage he trashes the mansion. This pushes Trudy to give up her "son" to live in a more suitable habitat of a nature preserve, the two tearfully say their goodbyes, and Trudy leaves Buddy her red dress.
Best part of story, including ending:
It was a weird movie about a real woman who adopted animals out of boredom. I don't like it since it sends a bad message about animal welfare.
Best scene in story:
When Buddy acts wild and finally lets out steam and shows his real self, making Trudy realize that she has inhibited the growth of this wild animal.
Opinion about the main character:
Trudy is egocentric and caters to her own selfish needs without regard for the animal's real needs.
