Bathing Beauty

In Los Angeles, Steve Elliot prepares to marry Caroline Brooks and plans to retire from his songwriting career. Caroline commits to giving up her job as a swimming instructor, and Steve has already been hired by New York producer George Adams to write songs for a water ballet show. The day is set with both romantic and professional crosscurrents looming.

George overhears Steve discussing an impending retirement and vows to stop him from walking away. He enlists Maria Dorango, an aspiring actress posing as a Latin-American singer, to complicate Steve's plans. Their scheme aims to prevent Steve from quitting and to create a scandal.

Moments after the justice of the peace proclaims Steve and Caroline as husband and wife, Maria bursts in claiming Steve is her husband and father of her three redheaded children. A ridiculous parade of the children follows, shocking the guests and embarrassing Caroline. Steve pleads his innocence, but Caroline storms off in anger.

Caroline heads back to her job at Victoria College in New Jersey, while Steve and his friend Carlos Ramírez attempt to follow. They are denied entry to the all-female school, highlighting the humor and obstacles in reconciling their lives. The campus is portrayed as a strict, exclusive environment.

In a New York nightclub, Steve meets Chester Klazenfrantz, a drunken lawyer who reveals he has been hired to change Victoria College's charter. This information shows the political maneuvering behind the apparent all-female designation. Steve realizes there is a larger plot to force Caroline's school's fate.

Armed with new knowledge, Steve returns to Victoria College and insists on being admitted. He challenges the paradox of a male student at an all-women's college and positions himself to test the system. The move sets the stage for a farcical confrontation.

Dean Clinton suggests admitting Steve for a two-week probation with 100 demerits that would guarantee his expulsion before Parents Day. The move is designed to appease the college's concerns while allowing the plot to unfold. Steve's fate hinges on this high-stakes probation.

Steve is admitted but housed in a dusty basement storage space away from female students. He attempts to speak with Caroline, but she refuses to listen and prefers to pursue an annulment. The restrictive setup heightens the comic tension surrounding his presence on campus.

In music class, Professor Hendricks orders Steve to write his own version of Loch Lomond and teach it to the class the next day. With help from talented students, Carlos Ramírez, and Harry James and his orchestra, Steve meets the challenge and earns an A. The moment showcases his improvisational skill and campus enthusiasm.

That night, Steve visits Caroline at her house and is discovered hiding in her closet. Willis Evans, a botanist professor in love with Caroline, arrives, and Steve must outwit Duke, Caroline's Great Dane. He escapes the room just seconds before being discovered.

George threatens to smear Steve in the press unless he finishes his songs, but then unexpectedly backs down and offers to help him with the work. The uneasy truce hints at a fragile cooperation behind the scenes. Steve remains determined to clear his name and win Caroline back.

Concerned about Parents Day, Dean Clinton orders the faculty to hammer Steve's progress. Madame Zarka forces him to wear a tutu and dance with the female students. He performs a ballet number, saving face as the tension builds toward the big day.

The Dean asks Caroline to accompany Steve and ensure he returns after curfew. She agrees, and they drive back to California with plans to leave Victoria behind. The moment sets up reconciliation but is complicated by Maria's shadowy presence.

Maria remains on campus, trying to expose George, as a campus sorority descends on Steve's room to initiate him. In a Marx Brothers–style scramble, Steve hides several women in closets and keeps Caroline from learning Maria's presence. George unexpectedly arrives and the scene ends with a chaotic, comedic parade.

Maria reveals the truth to Caroline, clearing Steve's name and sealing their reconciliation. Steve agrees to write songs for George's water ballet show on condition that Caroline becomes the star. After the performance, Caroline rescues Steve from a drowning mishap and shares a kiss to seal their reunion.