TheplotrevolvesaroundRichardBean(Kline),aBroadwaystarknownforhisegotism,whoexperiencesapublicbreakdownandretreatstohishometown.Afterreturningtothefamily-runtheaterwherehefirstdiscoveredhistalent,hefindshisfather,theformerartisticdirector,sufferingfromdementia.Thetheater,nowreducedtoadinnertheaterservingmurdermysteries,isrunbyhisbrother(Tenney)andsister-in-law,whoisalsothetown’smayor.Determinedtorestorethetheater’sformerglory,RichardplanstostageagreatAmericanclassic,withhimselfasdirectorandstar,inanefforttosaveboththetheaterandthetownbbb