Jack Benny, Eleanor Powell and Robert Taylor star in this musical story of a stage producer, the gossip columnist with whom he's feuding and the producer's childhood sweetheart, who's determined to land a starring spot in his new show--Broadway Melody of 1936. Producer Bob Gordon (Taylor) is so preoccupied with columnist Bert Keeler (Benny) that he fails to notice Irene Foster's talent (Powell) when she auditions for him. Determined to stop at nothing in her quest for stardom, Foster conspires with Keeler and Gordon's secretary (Una Merkel) to invent a celebrated Parisian siren. Together, the trio creates so much interest in the fictitious exotic singer that Gordon will do anything to sign her for his new show--only to realize that he has discovered a new star in a girl he has known all his life.