An actor works as a stooge in a Hollywood studio and is nearly
framed for the murder of an executive.
At Apollo Studios John Nelson (Allan Lane) complains to producer
Maurice Tenwright (Russell Hicks) and quits, because Matt Ryan
(Frank Albertson) did not supply admiring girls. Publicity agent
Ann Wray (Eleanor Lynn) says Matt is Nelson's stooge. Tenwright
fires Matt but lets Dennis Poole (Bradley Page) hire Matt as his
stooge. Poole invites Matt to his party. Matt asks Ann to cook
dinner and says he wants an acting role. At dinner Matt gets a
call from seductive Eileen Baker (Adrienne Ames). Matt apologizes
to Ann, who says Eileen wants to see Poole. On a set Eileen praises
Poole, and Ann wins a bet that she won't go to lunch with Matt.
Poole advises Matt to get out of the studio. Tenwright tells Nelson
to come back to work, or Poole will get his role. Matt insults
columnist Monks (Paul Guilfoyle) with a joke. Nelson calls Matt
a stooge, and Tenwright tells Matt to protect Poole from Nelson.
A man (Ward Bond) refuses to pay Matt his winnings and knocks
him down; Matt shoots him, but it is a gag. Tenwright tells Matt
to have Poole leave because of a raid. Matt tries to tell Eileen,
but Nelson knocks him down. During the raid Tenwright is shot
dead. The Captain (Jonathan Hale) arrests the owner for gambling
and questions Monks, who says that Nelson was angry with Tenwright.
Monks also says it could be the stooge Matt. The Captain is arresting
Matt when Ann causes a disturbance so that Matt can escape with
her.
Matt drives Tenwright's car and tells Ann he didn't do it. Matt
ditches the car, and they climb on a freight train. They get off
in a town and try to rent a car, but they don't have cash. So
they tie up the man and leave a check. Matt parks the car in an
orchard. Matt and Ann cuddle on a bench and kiss. They get a ride
and take a taxi to the party. Eileen asks Poole to take her home,
but he is worried about Matt, who asks him for help. Poole offers
him cash and his car to escape. Matt and Ann go to Nelson's home
and learn that he took his gun with him. Matt and Ann go back,
and Matt is arrested. Matt says that Nelson did it, and Nelson
hits Matt. The Captain asks questions, and Matt explains; but
the Captain says Nelson's gun was not fired. Ann blames the witnesses
for being afraid of scandal. The Captain tests hands for gunpowder,
and Poole submits to arrest. The Captain says that Poole blamed
Tenwright because his career was slipping. In the final scene
Matt with Ann decides to buy a hamburger stand.
The politics of a Hollywood studio is explored in this drama
about the lure of fame and glamour amid ambition, greed, envy,
and vanity. In this bitter critique an actor, tired of being a
stooge, comes to realize he would be happier owning a hamburger
stand.