Cracked Nuts

On a trans-Atlantic crossing, Wendell Graham meets Betty Harrington and immediately takes an interest in her. Betty reciprocates, but Aunt Minnie Van Varden dislikes him from the start. The scene establishes their romantic dynamic and Aunt Minnie's protective stance.

The dissidents aboard reveal their plan to overthrow the El Doranian monarchy and invite Wendell to help. He commits $100,000 to the revolutionary cause to win Aunt Minnie’s favor and secure his social standing. Betty watches with mixed feelings as the deal takes shape.

As they near El Dorania, the dissidents tell Wendell they intend to crown him after the overthrow. The idea excites him, as it would boost his prestige and impress Aunt Minnie. He accepts the plan, ambitious to play kingmaker and win approval.

Zander Ulysses Parkhurst, known as Zup, wins the crown in a craps-like game, only to discover the crown will place him in grave danger. King Oscar pretends to lose, knowing that the new monarch will be targeted for assassination. The twist foreshadows a fragile reign ahead.

After Zup's coronation, Queen Carlotta warns that El Dorania's rulers are routinely assassinated within a month. The warning casts a shadow over the new reign. The danger makes Wendell's ongoing ambitions seem riskier.

The revolutionaries tell Wendell that after overthrowing the current monarch, they intend to crown him king. He sees this as the opportunity to prove his worth to Aunt Minnie. The plan deepens his involvement in El Dorania's fate.

Wendell arrives in El Dorania and has a celebratory reunion with his old Brooklyn friend Zup. He quickly realizes that to claim the throne, he would first have to defeat Zup. The reunion becomes a collision of personal ties and political ambition.

General Bogardus is revealed as the mastermind behind the planned assassinations of Zup. He agrees to allow Zup to be killed using bombs dropped from airplanes. This revelation sets the stage for a dramatic and perilous coup attempt.

Wendell arranges to disarm the bombs and tells Zup there is nothing to fear. He thinks he can steer the plot away from bloodshed and secure a peaceful transition. The tense preparations heighten the suspense before the national event.

On the day of the national celebration, bombs begin to fall, catching everyone off guard. The bombs explode despite Wendell's assurances, forcing him and Zup to flee for their lives. Chaos erupts as the crowd scrambles to survive.

As the bombs detonate, one bomb lands on an oil deposit, triggering a dramatic gush of oil. The country suddenly prospers from abundant wealth, diverting attention away from revolution. The fortune paradoxically secures Zup's grip on power.

With the revolution effectively defanged by wealth, Zup remains king and Wendell ends up marrying Betty. Aunt Minnie is displeased with the outcome, having hoped for Wendell’s rise to power. The film closes on a light note, contrasting political muddle with a romantic union.