Man on the Flying Trapeze

Two burglars break into Ambrose's cellar after midnight and get drunk on his applejack, singing a folksy tune as they stumble about. Ambrose is forced to handle the intruders and ends up arrested for distilling liquor without a license. The arrest marks the first of a long string of awkward incidents that follow him.

After Hope pays his bail, Ambrose returns home for breakfast and goes to Malloy's office to request the afternoon off, claiming that Cordelia has died and her funeral is today. He is unable to assert the truth when questioned and lets the lie stand. The request sets the stage for the day's misunderstandings.

Malloy misconstrues Ambrose's claim of Cordelia's death as a case of poisoning from tainted liquor and treats it as a serious incident. Ambrose, meek and evasive, does not contradict him. Malloy sends him home for the day.

Mr. Peabody informs the department about the supposed tragedy so colleagues can send condolences, and the incident is also reported to the newspaper. The office buzzes with sympathy and rumor, heightening Ambrose's precarious situation.

Ambrose faces a string of misadventures while heading to the wrestling match: ticket-police stop him, he suffers a flat tire, and he is nearly hit by a train while chasing a runaway tire. The comic calamities complicate his attempt to attend the event. Each setback adds to his mounting woes.

Inside the arena, Ambrose is knocked down by a wrestler who is thrown out of the building by his opponent. The fall disrupts the crowd and highlights Ambrose's vulnerability in public situations. The mishap foreshadows further embarrassment.

As spectators exit, Claude spots Ambrose sprawled on the sidewalk and notices Ambrose's secretary bending over him, showing concern. The brief meeting hints at the trouble brewing behind Ambrose's back. The encounter amplifies the gossip that will soon reach home.

Back at the Wolfinger home, a flood of sympathy flowers and funeral wreaths arrives, leaving Cordelia and Leona puzzled. They read Cordelia's obituary in the newspaper, which blames poisoning from alcohol, and immediately peg Ambrose as responsible. The misdirection deepens the family's mistrust.

Ambrose returns to a cold reception and confesses that he deceived his boss. When Claude claims to have seen Ambrose and the secretary drunk, Ambrose finally snaps, knocks Claude unconscious, and forces his wife and mother-in-law to hide. He and his daughter Hope leave the house to start anew.

Peabody fires Ambrose, but Malloy argues that only Ambrose can manage the company's odd filing system. The management dispute centers on who is best suited to decipher the chaotic memory records Ambrose maintains. The impasse sets up a potential comeback for Ambrose.

Hope answers the telephone from Peabody and lies that Ambrose has a better offer from another company. The white lie buys time and gives the family a window to rethink their next steps. The moment underscores Hope's quick-witted loyalty to her father.

After some bargaining, Ambrose is rehired with a huge raise and four weeks of vacation. The victory signals a fresh start and renewed faith in his unique memory skills, allowing his family to breathe again. It also reestablishes Ambrose as a valued asset to the company.

Leona realizes she still loves Ambrose and challenges Claude and Cordelia's grip on the family. She speaks up against her mother-in-law and supports Ambrose, helping to mend the family bonds. The dynamic shifts toward a more hopeful domestic future.

The film ends with Ambrose taking the family for a ride in his new car, Hope and Leona riding inside while Claude and Cordelia share the rumble seat. A heavy rain begins, but the family looks forward with renewed optimism. The journey home becomes a symbol of their renewed unity.