Fearing that her once successful film career is now "washed up," actress Catherine Terris reluctantly takes the advice of her agent, Mitchell Parks, and accepts the lead role in a Broadway musical revue that is to be directed by her former flame, Rick Sommers. The brilliant, but moody Rick resents learning from John Webber, the producer of the show, that Catherine has been cast without his input and argues that she will let them down, as six years before she left a show he was directing when offered a film role. Rick relents after John tells him that having Catherine's name connected with the show has doubled the financial backing in two days. Later at auditions, Rick recognizes the talent of an unknown dancer, Gordon Evans, and fights to give him a lead role, just as he once did for Catherine. Rehearsals begin after the performers have been cast, including Rick's current girl friend, dancer Karen Keene. Then a motion picture executive, Lew Ludlow, tells Rick that Mitch is Catherine's boyfriend and has raised the last half of the money, hoping that a Broadway success will lead to her being "rediscovered" by the film industry. Angry that he is expected to make Catherine "look good" so that she can again walk out on him, Rick harasses her during rehearsals until she walks off the stage. When John confronts Rick about his behavior, Rick quits and John takes over temporarily until a new director is found. That evening Rick tells Karen that, six years before, under his direction Catherine first became a success, but then she left the show and jeopardized its financial future. Although Karen wonders if there is more to the story, she gently shows him a newspaper article about his departure from the show, which accuses him of throwing a tantrum and questions his viability as a director. The next day, when a new article reports that Rick slugged the columnist, Karen accuses Catherine, in front of the rest of the cast, of getting Rick fired. After consulting with John, Catherine, who is still in love with Rick, goes to his apartment and asks him to return to the show. Although surprised to learn from him that Mitch, who has often proposed marriage to her, is one of the backers, Catherine is also amused that Rick is jealous. She admits that she has hoped for years that they would reconcile and they kiss. However, when Karen shows up, Catherine realizes that Rick has been seeing her and leaves. Rick returns to the show and, making up for lost time, rehearses the cast for long hours, but three days before they are to open in New Haven, Connecticut, he admits to Catherine that although she is doing well, the show is "flat and dull." When the troupe performs in New Haven, the reviewers agree, praising Catherine and Gordon, while damning the show. Back in New York, John offers to finance time for rewrites and to work out the kinks in the show. Rick is willing until Ludlow informs him that, based on Catherine's good New Haven reviews, his company has offered her an incredibly good motion picture deal. Assuming that Catherine has accepted, Rick gives word to send the cast home, but then Catherine shows up for rehearsal. Taking Rick aside, she tells him she would rather stay with him, unless they have no future together, and asks him if she should accept the offer. When he advises her to go, she leaves the theater. However, Karen is nearby and quietly urges him to pursue her. After catching up with Catherine on the street, Rick asks her to stay. Rehearsals resume and the troupe works together to improve the show.
