A Feather in Her Hat is a 1935 melodrama film starring Pauline Lord as a working-class woman with ambitions for her son.

In 1925 London, middle-aged, widowed shopkeeper Clarissa Phipps pities genteel, but homeless drunkard Captain Randolph Courtney and takes him in.

From Clarissa's private papers and what she had said, Courtney guesses that Richard's mother is Julia Trent Anders, a former star actress.

Would-be playwright Richard, seeking to get to know her, becomes a lodger in her mansion, where he also meets her absentminded scientist husband Paul and her beautiful stepdaughter Pauline.

When Julia discovers that her tenant has written a play (with a starring role suitable for her comeback), she introduces him to her friend, producer Sir Elroyd Joyce.