The story of the short film from the beginning of the movies in the 1890s, when all movies were shorts, through the 1950s when short subjects virtually disappeared from theaters.
Jack Hansen (played by Frank Luther) is an unappreciated chef in NTG's Paradise Restaurant. He thinks his sweepstakes ticket is a winner, so his boss (Mr. Granlund) promotes him to co-owner. Hansen's girl friend Sally (played by Miss Froos) steps in when the restaurant's star singer quits. It turns out Hansen did not win the sweepstakes, but he got to sing a few songs.
President Franklin Roosevelt appoints a theatrical producer as the new Secretary of Amusement in order to cheer up an American public still suffering through the Depression. The new secretary soon runs afoul of political lobbyists out to destroy his department.
Returning to New York on an ocean liner, Lois Whiteman, Harry Barris and Art Jarrett decide to visit composer Burton Lane, who is also aboard, to rehearse a little. Saxophonists Benny Krueger and Rudy Wiedhoeft meet and perform with their instruments.