New York bandleader Terry Rooney (James Cagney) is offered a movie contract so he packs up and heads off to Hollywood. Once there, Rooney sets out to do things his own way and resists the trappings of "star treatment". Taking this as a sign of arrogance, the studio head tells the staff to keep the success of Rooney's first film from him to prevent an increase in his attitude. Meanwhile, after finishing his first film, Rooney heads off on a South Seas honeymoon and returns to find him a sensation which causes comedic results.