During World War I, Abie Levy, a soldier
in the A.E.F., is wounded in combat. While recovering in a
hospital, he meets Rosemary Murphy, an entertainer. They fall
in love, return to the United States, and get married in an
Episcopal church in Jersey City. Abie takes Rosemary to his
home and introduces her as his sweetheart, Rosie Murpheski; they are
then married by a rabbi. Mr. Murphy arrives with a
priest and, amid discord and discontent, the young people are
married again, this time by the priest.
Disowned by both families, Rosemary and
Abie are befriended only by the Cohens. On Christmas Eve, the
Cohens and their rabbi persuade Solomon to see his son and his new
grandchildren; the priest urges Mr. Murphy to do the same.
This surprise visit begins in acrimony, but ends peacefully as
Rosemary presents her newborn twins: Patrick Joseph, named for her
father, and Rebecca, named for Abie's dead mother.