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When questioned by the police about the murder of gambler Joe Mannion, Broadway theatrical agent Max Corkle professes his innocence and tells the police lieutenant the story of how he came to know one of the gambler's associates, Danny Miller.

While Danny, the director and leading actor of a musical show about the nine Greek muses, rehearses his play, Terpsichore, a real muse, high in the heavens on Mount Parnassus, becomes angered by actress Georgia Evans' vulgar portrayal of herself and vows to destroy Danny.  Mr. Jordan, the man who oversees all travel from the heavens to earth, assigns Messenger 7013 to be Terpsichore's guide, and sends the two to Earth.

In New York, Messenger 7013, who can be seen and heard only by Terpsichore, takes the muse to the Elton Theater, where Danny is rehearsing his show.  Repulsed by Evans' performance, Terpsichore takes to the stage and shows off her singing and dancing abilities.  Danny is enchanted by the mysterious actress, and later casts her in the role.  Using the name Kitty Pendelton, Terpsichore hires Max Corkle as her agent and begins studying for her role.

A short time later, Danny, who has fallen in love with Terpsichore, allows her to change her part from that of a "cheap trollop" to a more dignified muse.  However, when the revamped show is poorly received in Philadelphia, Danny decides to reinstate the show's more tawdry elements before opening in New York.  This infuriates Terpsichore, who quits the show and asks Mr. Jordan to return her to Mount Parnassus.

Mr. Jordan tries to persuade Terpsichore to stay with the troupe by showing her a scene from Danny's past.  After Danny loses $20,000 gambling at Mannion's casino, Mannion threatens him with death if he does not pay his debt.  In a clever move, Danny persuades Mannion to back his new show in exchange for a suicide note.  If the show succeeds, Danny will have money to repay his debt; but if it fails, the note will prevent an investigation into his death.  After watching the scene from Danny's past, Terpsichore decides to return to the show and play the role the way Danny wants.

Following the show's successful opening in New York, Danny proposes to Terpsichore.  Though deeply in love with Danny, Terpsichore knows that she will never be able to marry him because she must return to Mount Parnassus with Mr. Jordan.

Later, when Max joins Mr. Jordan and Terpsichore for a drive through the city, Mr. Jordan foresees the murder of Mannion and instructs Terpsichore to tell Max to telephone the police.  The telephone call is placed too late, however, as Mannion is gunned down by his casino partner before the police arrive.  After telling Terpsichore she saved Danny's life, Mr. Jordan returns the muse to Mount Parnassus.  As Max comes out of his reverie, he convinces the police of his innocence and is asked to be the agent for the actress who will be replacing the real Terpsichore.

Meanwhile, on Mount Parnassus, Mr. Jordan shows Terpsichore the future, in which she and Danny are reunited in love.