Ellis Holden and Norman Carter, New York theatrical producers, are currently producing a murder mystery written by Greg Stone and starring Beverly Blake, Holden's wife. During rehearsal, Beverly, a prima donna, convinces Holden that actor Bob Bennett should be replaced. A genial gangster named Smiley Clark, who is backing the show, introduces Holden and Carter to a young actress named Louise, but when they turn her down for a part, Smiley threatens them. Beverly's handsome, young co-star, Edward Forrest, is in love with her, but she is having an affair with Carter, who wants to reveal their relationship to Holden. When the actors stage the murder scene, Smiley suggests replacing the poison needle called for in the script with a rope, and demonstrates how to make a murder look like suicide. Bennett is forced to quit the show and says goodbye. Later in Holden's and Carter's office as Greg dictates a love scene to the producers' secretary, Linda Sands, a spirited redhead who loves Greg, C