Musical husband and wife team Julie and Vernon Lowndes excitedly anticipate a vacation after the close of their long-running show. On closing night, airman Martin "Marty" Stewart, Vernon's writing partner and Julie's former husband, who was reported killed in Korea two years earlier, shows up at the theater. Stunned, Julie promptly faints, but is revived by friend and dance partner Gwen Howard, who encourages Julie to tell Vernon of Marty's miraculous return. Vernon is astonished by the news that Marty has spent the past two years marooned on a desert island and is in perfect health, but neither he nor Julie has the nerve to admit their marriage to Marty. Anxious to be alone with Julie, Marty is dismayed when Vernon, Gwen and the show's producer, Mike Hudson, all accompany the couple back to Julie's apartment. After much hesitation and awkwardness, Gwen, who has loved both Marty and Vernon for several years, reveals the truth to Marty, who is furious and knocks Vernon down. Both men are outraged when Julie admits she cannot choose between them, and Gwen admits she too would have difficulty choosing. The following day, Julie visits U.S. Air Force Col. Wharton, who accepts responsibility for Julie's unusual situation because he misinformed her of Marty's death. When Wharton is unable to say for certain which marriage is in fact legal, Julie falls into a delighted reverie, imagining having a dozen husbands. Finding their situation broadcast on the entertainment news, Marty and Vernon quarrel, but their fistfight is interrupted by Julie, who informs them she will remain with them both until she is able to decide who to choose. Meanwhile, Gwen laments with Mike that Julie has always had both men, while she has neither. Angered over Julie's casual treatment of them, Marty and Vernon move into the Waldorf to await her decision. The next day, Marty fools Julie into thinking she has a meeting with Wharton, then spirits her away to the restaurant and club where they met. They recall six years earlier: Marty, Vernon and Gwen rehearse a new show for the club when Julie, an unemployed dance hall singer, arrives seeking work. Marty reluctantly agrees to audition Julie, but she passes out from hunger until Marty revives her with dinner. Julie tries out a worn number, but when she sings a new song suggested by Marty, they fall in love with each other. In the present, Julie agrees that she has always loved Marty and will tell Vernon of her decision. Later, Julie is disappointed that Vernon readily accepts her choice and encourages him to fight for her. Heartened, Vernon declares his love causing Julie to swoon and admit that she still loves him. Both Marty and Vernon sneak into Julie's apartment, each believing himself alone, and gleefully prepares for a romantic evening with her. Julie comes home and discovering them both waiting anxiously, faints. Furious, Marty departs for Reno for a divorce and Vernon moves out for good. Anxious to help, Mike suggests to Vernon that he write a show for Gwen, knowing it will anger both Julie and Marty. Vernon agrees and quickly writes a new musical show, Rise Above It . During rehearsal, Vernon finds himself attracted to Gwen, and Mike uses the opportunity to publicize that the show is in trouble and needs a rewrite. Reading about the show's difficulties in Reno, Marty hastens back to New York, where he offers to help Vernon. Vernon reluctantly agrees, but both men balk when a few days later Julie arrives from California offering to help. They grudgingly give her a part in the show, but after several days of harsh rehearsal with Marty, Julie confides in Gwen that she has realized she loves Marty. Gwen assures Julie that Marty loves her, but Julie wants him to tell her so. Gwen suggests that Julie swallow her pride, so during the dress rehearsal, Julie sings her solo number directly to Marty, which convinces him of her feelings. The two are then reunited as Gwen and Vernon look on happily.
