April Showers

June and Joe's song-and-dance act is fading, and the family is short on work. Buster returns from boarding school and begs to join the act, hoping to revive the family troupe. June reluctantly agrees, though she fears vaudeville will change him.

With Buster's talent, the trio captivates audiences across several cities and quickly becomes a crowd favorite. They tour widely, and the act gains momentum as the fresh energy he brings resonates with fans. The family begins to see a future beyond their stale routines.

They receive a booking in New York City, fulfilling Joe's lifelong dream to perform on Broadway. Backstage, Buster pretends to be an adult midget to bypass the city's child-labor laws, but the ruse fails. The parents perform without him, flop, and leave New York.

The New York engagement ends in disappointment, and the family must face the consequences of the failed ruse. Joe's career falters as the act struggles to find work in the city.

To keep the act alive, Joe suggests Billy Shay replace him so Buster and June can continue performing. June has worked with Billy before and does not trust him, but she agrees reluctantly.

With Billy in the act, performances resume and draw crowds again, but tension between Joe and June deepens. Joe tells June she should divorce him and marry Billy, a sentiment Billy repeats at times.

After returning from performances in another city, Buster finds his father is barely scraping by. Joe lies to his son about upcoming work and sends him away, widening the rift in the family.

Buster, June, and Billy are invited to join a major musical comedy, a big break for the act. They join the production and hope the new gig will cement their success.

During a final rehearsal, the director decides the act is too similar to other numbers and cuts it from the show. The loss threatens to derail their chance at a big break.

Buster suggests a comic dance routine to liven the show, a trick he used to perform with Joe. He has Billy learn it, but Billy cannot pull it off quickly, causing growing frustration.

Billy lies about having taught the routine and the tension peaks as Buster tries to leave. Joe arrives just in time to witness Billy slapping Buster, and he steps in to intervene.

The next day the director learns what happened and allows Joe to perform with Buster and June. Their routine finally gets big laughs, and the family is reunited on stage.