Robert Wagner made his film debut in a small, uncredited role as Adams, the catcher for Cleve House.

Expelled from other preparatory schools, most recently after causing a campus explosion, young John Humperdink Stover is given one last chance by his father to find maturity and discipline along with a proper education.

On the way to a new academy, Stover promptly disrupts the trip of a fellow carriage passenger, Mr. Hopkins, by causing the horse to break into a gallop.

Promptly given the nickname "Dink," he becomes acquainted with other students like "Tough" McCarty and "Tennessee" Shad and immediately starts getting into fights.

The rivalry spills onto the football field and also includes elaborate pranks played on several neighborhood girls, starting with Connie Brown, during the summer break.