Going Hollywood

The film opens with Crosby performing 'Beautiful Girl,' signaling his departure for Hollywood. Technicians arrive to record the song, establishing the film's musical mood and the meta-film vibe. This sets the stage for the star-studded journey that follows.

Sylvia, infatuated with Bill Williams, follows him to Hollywood where he is to make a picture. On the train she lands a job as a maid to Bill's fiancée Lili Yvonne and meets the film's director Conroy and promoter Baker. She also befriends Jill upon arrival.

In Hollywood, Sylvia is befriended by Jill and shares rooms. The production moves to the Independent Art Studio, where Lili's mood and talents loom as potential problems. The studio atmosphere hints at the tensions to come.

Lili's temper and lack of talent cause concern for director Conroy. During a fan interaction, Sylvia, in blackface, pretends to be a fan asking for another star's autograph, triggering tension. Lili refuses to continue unless Sylvia is removed, but she is ultimately persuaded to stay.

A brawl erupts as Sylvia imitates Lili's tantrums, and Lili ends up with a black eye. Baker fires Lili and hires Sylvia to take the part, reshaping the film's central casting.

Baker invites Sylvia to accompany him to a party, but withdraws when Bill shows interest in her. The tension between professional ambition and romance colors the next steps of the story.

Bill takes Sylvia to dinner and a party; a quarrel reveals insincerity. Bill deserts the film and goes with Lili to Tijuana, starting a dramatic shift in the production's future.

In Tijuana, Bill drinks heavily and receives a studio ultimatum to return or be replaced. Lili advises him to consider letting them replace him and suggests flying together to New York and on to Paris.

Sylvia finds Bill and pleads for him to come back to the studio, but she ends up returning without him, leaving the production in a precarious position.

Back in Hollywood there is difficulty with replacing Bill. Eventually, Bill appears at the studio to rejoin Sylvia in the film, restoring the planned casting and momentum.

Bill returns to rejoin Sylvia for the film's closing sequence, singing 'Our Big Love Scene' as the romance is solidified on screen. The musical romance provides the film's emotional payoff.

On the departure day, Bill boards the train at Grand Central Terminal for the big production number 'Going Hollywood,' performed with Crosby and the chorus. This moment cements the film's showcase of star power and musical spectacle.

Crosby's songs echo through the narrative: 'Our Big Love Scene' is heard on the radio as Jill shows Sylvia her apartment, and 'Just an Echo in the Valley' is heard in a related moment. These musical interludes weave the film's songs into the plot.

The dream sequence 'We'll Make Hay While the Sun Shines' appears in the studio with thunderstorm effects, joined by Crosby, Davies, chorus and dancers. The Radio Rogues film an impersonation act in the studio, featuring imitations of Kate Smith, Russ Columbo, Morton Downey, and Rudy Vallee.

Crosby performs 'After Sundown' at the Hollywood party, adding one final musical number to the film's showcase. The evening underscores the film's blend of celebrity culture and musical performance as it winds toward conclusion.