The story is told in flashback from Death Row as Ronnie Jackson (Hope) relates the events to a group of reporters the events that lead to his predicament. Jackson is a baby photographer who dreams about being a real private detective like his friend Sam McCloud (Ladd). One day he is mistaken for a detective by a mysterious lady in distress (Lamour) and soon finds himself involved in a murder mystery.
Directed by Elliott Nugent, produced by Daniel Dare, written by Edmund Beloin and Jack Rose, starring Bob Hope as Ronnie Jackson, Alan Ladd as Sam McCloud (cameo appearance), Dorothy Lamour as Baroness Carlotta Montay, Frank Puglia as Baron Montay, Peter Lorre as Kismet, Lon Chaney, Jr. as Willie, John Hoyt as Dr. Lundau, Charles Dingle as Major Simon Montague, Reginald Denny as James Collins and Ann Doran as Miss Rogers.