Reducing

Polly Rochay, owner of an exclusive New York beauty parlor, learns that her sister Marie Truffle is destitute. She decides to bring Marie, her husband Elmer, and their three children—Vivian, Jerry, and Marty—from South Bend to live with the Rochays. Joyce objects to the plan, insisting the Truffles are too unrefined to join their social circle.

Marie begins working at Polly's salon while Elmer searches for a job as a mail carrier. The intrusion irks Joyce, and Polly sides with Joyce when Marie damages the beauty parlor and Polly's car is scratched. The clash foreshadows the coming family feud.

Polly and Marie compare their daughters' boyfriends, boasting about Johnnie's sophistication versus Vivian's boyfriend Tommy Haverly's old-family background. Polly belittles Marie by suggesting Vivian will never meet Joyce's social caliber. The conversation deepens the class-based tension between the families.

When Johnnie brings Joyce home, he meets Vivian and takes an immediate liking to her. Joyce watches with envy as her former lover shows interest in another woman, foreshadowing trouble ahead. The seed of romantic rivalry is planted.

The next day, Vivian accepts a lunch date with Johnnie, hoping Joyce will also be there. Joyce accuses Vivian of trying to steal her boyfriend, intensifying the sisters' feud. The social circle is ripe for further drama.

At the salon, Marie creates a nuisance by mismanaging tasks, and Polly is even locked in a steam room by accident. The sisters quarrel over Johnnie, and Marie strikes Joyce when Joyce insults Vivian. Polly then tells the Truffles to leave the Rochay household.

Three months pass. The Truffles have settled into their own home, and Vivian waits for Johnnie to arrive so he can escort her to a party. The social calendar continues despite the earlier upheaval.

Joyce visits Marie and begs her aunt to help her in what she calls terrible trouble. Moved by her plea, Marie agrees to assist Joyce, signaling a shift in loyalties as the aunt takes an active role. The plan unfolds behind the scenes.

Marie goes to Johnnie's home armed with a Civil War revolver that hasn't worked since Bull Run. She confronts him about his influence over Joyce and demands that he consider marriage to her niece. The confrontation reaches a dramatic, dangerous peak.

Johnnie agrees to marry Marie's niece, explaining that his father would label him a rotter if he knew what he'd done to Joyce. He concedes after acknowledging Joyce's heartbreak and the consequences of his actions. The plan reveals a calculated maneuver behind the romance.

Marie lies to Joyce, telling her that Johnnie was not worthy of her love because he was merely courting Joyce to provoke Vivian's jealousy. The deception deepens Joyce's confusion and widens the rift with Polly. The truth remains buried for the moment.

Joyce and Johnnie marry, a result of Marie's schemes. Polly, unaware of Marie's role, phones Marie to boast about the wedding and taunt that Vivian should have stayed in her own class. The victory is hollow for the Rochays as the truth lingers.

Joyce eventually confesses to Polly the full extent of Marie's meddling and involvement. The revelation prompts the sisters to reconsider their relationship and begin mending the rift that divided them. The family starts moving toward reconciliation.

Polly visits Marie to thank her for helping Joyce, and the sisters forgive one another. The two women set aside their feud and the Rochay-Truffle household settles back into harmony. The film closes on a note of renewed family ties.