Hap Brown, an easygoing, happy-go-lucky actor, falls in love with Marie, a waitress in the French Quarter of New Orleans and befriends Gardoni, a fallen actor with whom he forms a partnership.  They soon fall out, however, when Gardoni insists on dominating the act; and Hap takes a job with the café where Marie works.

When he and Gardoni team up again, Marie is taken with the Italian and they are soon married, leaving Hap hurt and rejected.  Overwhelmed by a brilliant Broadway reception, Gardoni neglects his wife for Kitty Parker, an adventuress, and though Hap knows of it, he does not tell Marie; then, scorned by Kitty, Gardoni dies tragically.

Hap turns to Marie for support and, under her guidance, he proves himself to be a brilliant comedian.