The four March sisters live with their mother, awaiting the return of their father who is a soldier fighting in the Civil War. Jo (June Allyson) is a tomboy who has a mind of her own, and Amy is beautiful and is self-absorbed in her own way. The other sisters are Meg (Janet Leigh) and Beth (Margaret O’Brien), all wholly dedicated to their Marmee (Mary Astor). The stiff Aunt March (Lucile Watson) may demand and play favorites, but the girls maintain their goodwill. Several men enter their lives, and the most serious for Jo is Professor Bhaer (Rosanno Brazzi) whose shyness almost loses him the sister he wants. Whatever rivalries the girls have among themselves, they are foremost caring for each other, and optimistic that their father (Leon Ames) will return safely.