Set in 1920s New York City, this movie tells the story of idealistic young playwright David Shayne. Producer Julian Marx finally finds funding for the job by gangster Nick Valenti. The catch is that the girl-friend Olive Neal of Nick gets a psychiatrist's component, and Olive is just a bimbo who could never pass for a psychologist in addition to being a dreadful actress. Agreeing for this undermine is the primary measure to the complete charm of David, that neglects girl friend Ellen of Broadway. David places up using Warner Purcell, the leading man who's Cheech, Olive's interfering hit-man, Helen Sinclair and just a compulsive eater. The playwright must decide whether art or life is significantly important.