Her abusive father and uncaring mother have little time for her, instead favoring her younger sister Sharon; however, Patty does have a friend in Ruth, the family's black, middle-aged housekeeper.

One day, when the POWs are brought into the Bergen's store to buy supplies, Patty meets Anton, one of the few prisoners able to speak English.

Anton is almost exposed when he sees Patty's father beating her one day and nobly runs out of hiding to protect her, but she shouts for him to go back before he is seen.

Appalled to hear that his own daughter aided a Nazi prisoner, her father virtually disowns her and tells her that she is dead to him.

Also, whereas in the novel Patty stands trial for treason and is convicted and sentenced to reform school, in the movie she is simply classed as a juvenile delinquent and remains in the custody of her parents until she is 18.