The Meglin Kiddies

Professor John Sylvestus Applegate has been dismissed from his college teaching position for objecting too loudly to the predominant part that football and other sports play in the curriculum, and soon finds himself dead broke when publishers show no interest in the dry material he brings to them. He meets a young boy, Laury and his mother, Sharon in the park and is quite taken with them. He gets a job-prospect letter, as a private tutor, and applies at once. (imdb)

It's the Depression, and the vaudeville house, the Palace Theater, is not able to stay afloat. The proprietor, Mr. Jenkins, grudgingly let's his 12-year-old son stage a kiddie show that draws in the crowds. (imdb)