A thinly-veiled portrait of the Barrymore acting family, this 1956 comedy presents the Cavendish clan, known as "The Royal Family of Broadway." Dowager Fanny Cavendish presides over three generations of legendary American actors: "brother Herbert, a histrionic player now in his decline; Fanny's daughter Julie, at the height of her Broadway fame, and son Tony who has forsaken the stage for Hollywood. Heralding the third generation of players, Julie's daughter Gwen is just beginning a promising ingenue career. When Tony rushes home only to flee to Europe, escaping the attentions of a Polish movie star and Gwen shocks the family by marrying a "non-professional", it seems the Cavendish name and reputation is threatened. Through it all, Fanny rules with a combination of strength, wit, courage, and a sharp tongue, proving that the "show" indeed, "must (and will) go on."--Adapted from publisher's description.