An aging actor, John Mannering, is surprised when his estranged daughter, Kay Martin, shows up. It seems that she is an actress and is also trying to make it on Broadway. He is persuaded to perform on Broadway for the first time in twelve years in a play with her. He is very nervous and turns to alcohol to overcome his problems. He tries to re-establish his relationship with her while also trying to hide the fact that she is his daughter from the press.