Schoolteacher Richard Attenborough takes an interest in street kid Colin Petersen. His mother is dead, and his father, Terence Morgan, is a rough guy who clouts him for taking five pounds from his wallet, and gives him half a crown for almost getting away with it. When Morgan leaves the country to look for work, Attenborough takes in Colin, despite the misgivings of his wife, Dorothy Alison. Nonetheless, it seems to be working out.
Colin demonstrates his skill with drums throughout the movie; music is a major part of how he bonds with Attenborough, who fakes the piano very nicely. Colin later performed with the BeeGees.
It's a well put together movie, but the relative ease with which the wild youngster is tamed by thoughtful kindness seems a little pat.