At the bustling International House hotel in the vibrant city of Wuhu, China, a fascinating scene unfolds as various intriguing characters converge for reasons both personal and professional. Central to the story is Edmund Breese portraying Dr. Wong, an inventive Chinese scientist who is urgently soliciting bids for his groundbreaking creation: the "radioscope". Unlike conventional televisions, this device doesn't require a camera; instead, it acts as an electronic telescope capable of spying on events happening anywhere around the globe, complete with audio. Dr. Wong's innovation promises to revolutionize communication and observation, making his presence and device highly sought after.
Among the crowd is W.C. Fields as Prof. Henry R. Quail, a curious and somewhat accidental visitor. Quail, who initially aimed to land in Kansas City in his autogyro, finds himself at the hotel amid a mélange of characters, not for theft or business, but purely by chance after flying off course. His unexpected entrance adds humor to the scenario, especially as he navigates the chaotic hotel environment.
The hotel is also home to Peggy Hopkins Joyce, playing herself and trying to evade an intensely jealous Russian general named Bela Lugosi, known as General Petronovich. Peggy's quick maneuvering to avoid her former husband's wrath creates a lively subplot. Meanwhile, Tommy Nash (Stuart Erwin), a cheerful representative of an American electric company, arrives with hopes of purchasing the radioscope and marrying his beloved, Carol (Sari Maritza), who is also at the hotel. Their romantic storyline intertwines with the technological intrigue surrounding Dr. Wong's invention.
The hotel staff and residents are not short of challenges. George Burns plays Dr. Burns, the resident physician, who, along with his comically inept aide, Gracie Allen, deals with an unusual quarantine that has brought tensions and humorous misunderstandings to the hotel’s atmosphere. The hotel manager, portrayed by Franklin Pangborn, is portrayed as fussy and often frustrated by the day's chaos, adding to the comedic tone.
Despite the initial plan to focus on a six-day indoor bicycle race in New York through the radioscope, the device mysteriously begins to broadcast a series of entertaining performances instead. The hotel turns into a makeshift stage featuring renowned crooner Rudy Vallée, energetic bandleader and vocalist Cab Calloway, and the young and talented torch singer Baby Rose Marie. The rooftop garden restaurant is bustling with lively floor shows, which include performances by Sterling Holloway as a sailor and Lona Andre as a chorus queen, adding a splash of vibrant entertainment to the scene.
As the story unfolds, Tommy successfully secures the rights to the radioscope and also wins the heart of Carol. Peggy Hopkins Joyce, ever pragmatic and thrill-seeking, learns that Prof. Quail is a millionaire. She quickly shifts her affections, attaching herself to her next wealthy admirer. Meanwhile, Prof. Quail, in a humorous and chaotic sequence, is chased through the hotel as he drives his tiny American Austin car through public areas and down several flights of stairs, culminating in him stowing the vehicle back into his autogyro for a daring escape.
Throughout this lively and chaotic event-filled day, the film captures a humorous and whimsical slice of life, blending sci-fi invention with comedic antics and musical performances. The story concludes with the characters finding their resolutions—Tommy and Carol together, Peggy moving on to her next adventure, and Prof. Quail taking flight once again, leaving behind a hotel brimming with chaos and charm. The film's playful tone and inventive sequences reflect a lighthearted look at ambition, romance, and the unexpected surprises that life at the International House can bring.
