Ladies of the Chorus

Peggy and Mae work as burlesque chorus girls. After star Bubbles LaRue quits, stage manager Joe asks Mae to perform a special number, but Mae secretly arranges for Peggy to take the opportunity, thrusting her into the spotlight. This sets Peggy on a path toward stardom within the troupe.

Peggy's performance is exceptionally well-received and she is offered the starring role. The crowd and the management recognize her talent, securing a dramatic shift for her career and for Mae as her chaperone. The opportunity elevates their status within the burlesque world.

One evening, Randy Carroll, a member of a wealthy Cleveland family, attends Peggy's show with friends and instantly falls for her. He begins pursuing her in secret, drawn by her charm and performance. Peggy remains cautious but curious about this new admirer.

Randy becomes Peggy's silent admirer, sending an orchid every night with no signature. Peggy, intrigued by the mystery, asks the florist to reveal who is sending the flowers. The seek for the identity adds a flutter of romance and suspense.

Peggy and Randy finally meet; he asks Peggy to dinner and she accepts, but first invites him to meet her mother. Randy is surprised to learn Mae is also a dancer, yet he asks them to join him for supper. The dinner sets the stage for a blending of two worlds.

Randy proposes marriage after the dinner, and Peggy excitedly shares the news with Mae. Mae warns that there is a class difference between Randy's circle and their own, foreshadowing trouble ahead. The moment tests their willingness to bridge two social worlds.

To underscore the risks, Mae recounts her own failed marriage to a Boston socialite whose family shunned her profession. The story illustrates the potential consequences of marrying into high society without honesty. It also hardens Peggy and Mae's resolve to handle things carefully.

Randy asks for Mae's consent to marry Peggy but avoids telling his mother about Peggy's burlesque past. Mae agrees to the marriage only if Randy reveals Peggy's profession to Adele before the engagement reaches her, to prevent later shock. The condition places a moral test on Randy.

Adele, Randy's mother, invites Mae and Peggy for a visit and plans a lavish engagement party with friends. The invitation is both a trap and an opportunity, as Adele hopes to bridge families while testing Peggy's mettle in polite society. The stage is set for a confrontation and revelation.

At the engagement party, the hired musicians recognize Peggy and publicly address her as 'Peggy, the Queen of Burlesque,' humiliating her in front of the guests. Peggy and Mae try to leave, but Adele stops them, insisting they stay and face the judgment. The moment exposes the tension between love, pride, and propriety.

Billy Mackay privately tells Mae that Adele had concocted the backstory to help Randy and Peggy. The revelation twists the party's dynamics and shows Adele's willingness to manipulate others to secure the couple's future. Mae processes the truth with mixed emotions.

Adele reveals she, too, was a chorus girl, illustrating empathy with Peggy. She then persuades Billy and Mae to make the engagement a double wedding, uniting both couples in a shared celebration. The film closes on a hopeful note as the families commit to love despite their differences.