New York City, 1883 – In this bustling era, businessman Clarence Day is determined to manage his home on Madison Avenue with the same precision he employs in his professional life. However, his fiery temper is a source of dread for the household staff, making it nearly impossible for them to endure his short-fused reactions to even the most trivial issues. This leaves his kind-hearted wife, Vinnie, struggling to maintain a semblance of harmony and comfort in their home. Despite her efforts, her charming demeanor is often no match for Clarence's fury, leading to a high turnover of maids.
Together, Vinnie and Clarence have four spirited sons, all boasting the signature red hair of their parents. The eldest, Clarence, Jr., is preparing for his journey to Yale. Next in line, John is an inventive soul, while Whitney grapples with the complexities of his catechism, and young Harlan is preoccupied with the joys of his pet dog. In an effort to avoid conflict with Clarence, Vinnie cleverly conceals the impending visit of their cousin, Cora Cartwright, and her youthful companion, Mary Skinner, who are scheduled to stay for a week.
As the plot thickens, Clarence's annoyance deepens when he learns that Vinnie has promised to treat Cora and Mary to an upscale dinner at Delmonico's, a notorious venue for the fashionable and affluent. In true form, however, Vinnie manages to sway Clarence into accompanying them, particularly since Clarence, Jr. harbors a budding affection for the lovely Mary.
One evening, during their dinner, Mary reveals her Methodist faith, contrasting sharply with the Days’ Episcopalian practices. This revelation ignites a heated discussion about religion, leading to the surprising admission that Clarence has never been baptized. Vinnie is thrown into distress over this revelation, firmly believing that a baptism is crucial for their family's spiritual unity in the afterlife. Clarence, however, staunchly maintains that God would never be so reckless as to prevent him from entering Heaven, dismissing the necessity of such an act.
Meanwhile, the dynamic within the household undergoes a slight shift as Clarence dons a suit that once belonged to his father, believing it will influence his behavior. However, this attempt leads to unintended consequences; his strict response to Mary's innocent flirtation drives her away in tears, prompting Clarence to set out on a mission to earn sufficient money for his own suit. Together with John, he embarks on a venture selling patent medicine, a venture that culminates in a disastrous outcome as their mother, Vinnie, falls severely ill after testing it on her without her knowledge. Assuming her condition is dire, Clarence promises to be baptized if she recovers.
Miraculously, Vinnie regains her health, but Clarence then backtracks on his baptism vow. Unbeknownst to him, Vinnie takes matters into her own hands, arranging for him to be baptized in a discreet manner at a church situated in Audubon Park. She wishes to avoid any embarrassment that might arise in front of their social circles, yet Clarence remains firmly opposed to the idea.
As fate would have it, Vinnie seizes a golden opportunity when Clarence expresses his disdain for a new ceramic pug dog she has bought. He declares he won’t be baptized as long as the dog is in their home, prompting Vinnie to strategically send Clarence off to return the pug and use the funds to purchase a new suit that coincidentally costs the same as the dog.
The following morning, Cora and Mary return for another obliging visit, and with his new suit, Clarence reconciles with Mary, tides of familial tensions easing momentarily. In a well-orchestrated maneuver, Vinnie arranges for a lavish cab ride to transport Clarence to Audubon Park, all while he protests the extravagance. He adamantly refutes having agreed to a baptism contingent on the pug's return, but with Vinnie's gentle yet persuasive influence, she rallies the entire family for the long-awaited ceremony, finally realizing Clarence’s baptism. This humorous and heartwarming tale unfolds amid the backdrop of 19th-century Manhattan, blending familial love, social expectations, and the quest for personal redemption.
