Adapted from a play by Frederick Lonsdale, a plumber plays
a lover for a woman who wants to discourage a married man, but
she can't make up her mind.
In Paris McCracken meets plumber Elmer Tuttle (Buster Keaton),
who invented a spot-shot pistol. Patricia (Irene Purcell) tells
her maid Albine (Molly Moran) that Tony (Gilbert Roland) is following
her. McCracken brings Elmer to fix the shower. Tony barges in
and finds Patricia, who blames him for not telling her he is married.
Tony suspects naked Elmer is her lover and challenges him to a
duel. Elmer chooses pistols but fires too soon. He walks behind
Tony. When a hunter shoots, everyone runs. Elmer hits his head.
Patricia runs to Tony and then to Elmer. Tony calls on Nina (Mona
Maris), who kisses him. When Tony says that Patricia will not
divorce him, Nina throws a tantrum.
At a casino Elmer offers his pistol to General Bouschay. Elmer
can't get in without evening dress and pretends to shoot himself
so they will put money in his pocket to avoid bad publicity. Patricia
tells Tony she changed and has a lover. Elmer returns in tails.
He unties a woman's dress strap and drops moth balls on the roulette
wheel. Patricia pretends to love Elmer while Tony watches. Elmer
sees General Bouschay and fires his pistol. He is chased out and
steals a car, wrecking it. Elmer learns it was Patricia's car;
but he can't pay for it. She asks him to act as her lover to get
rid of Tony, who says he will kill Elmer. Patricia tells Tony
she will go with him. Elmer comes in and kisses Patricia. Elmer
and Tony slap each other, and Tony walks out.
Elmer brings Patricia breakfast, but she wants to get rid of
him and gives him her dog to walk. Elmer gets in her car. Patricia
goes to a beauty parlor and calls Tony to meet her at home; but
Elmer is in the bathroom in her pajamas. Tony gets jealous and
leaves. Elmer won't let Patricia leave, and she slaps him, feeling
sorry about it. Aunt Charlotte (Maude Eburne) arrives. Patricia
tries to undress, but Elmer stops her. Aunt Charlotte comes in
and sees Elmer acting as Patricia's doctor. He uses his plumbing
tools. Patricia escapes in Aunt Charlotte's dress. Elmer calls
Tony to come over. Nina comes in, and Elmer suggests he make Tony
jealous; but Patricia comes in. Patricia and Nina realize Tony
is not married to the other. They hide as Tony comes in and tells
Elmer he loves Patricia, not Nina. They come out and throw things
at Tony. Nina asks
Tony if he loves her; Patricia asks Elmer; and McCracken asks
Albine.
This bedroom farce satirizes the lover who tries to avoid
marriage by lying he is married and a shy plumber wanting a pretty
woman, who is not sure what she wants.