Rhythm on the River

At a social Christmas party, Oliver passes off Bob's tune What Would Shakespeare Have Said? as if it were his own. The deception establishes Oliver's arrogance and sets up the central conflict over credit and authorship. The incident foreshadows the struggles ahead for both Bob and Cherry.

Oliver thanks Bob for his loyalty and offers a contract for $50 a week for three years. Bob refuses, saying he would rather have a catboat to visit his uncle at Nobody's Inn. The rejection signals Bob's desire for independence and creative control.

After his lyric writer dies, Oliver finds Cherry Lane as a replacement and offers her the ghost-writing gig. She is initially reluctant but accepts the arrangement. Oliver is pleased with her first lyric, setting up a productive but precarious collaboration.

Cherry grows ambitious to write better lines, but she struggles to concentrate at home. It is suggested she move to a small, quiet place to improve her focus. The idea of a retreat underscores the creative pressure she faces.

To work in an ideal environment, Cherry travels to Tarrytown and stays at Nobody's Inn. The river hotel provides the calm she needs to concentrate on lyrics. This move marks a new chapter in her collaboration with Oliver.

Bob decides to visit the inn, and he and Cherry run into each other again. They gradually become acquainted and start to like one another. Their growing rapport lays the groundwork for a shared creative partnership.

Cherry and Bob begin composing a song together, unaware that they are both working for the same boss. Their collaboration deepens as they exchange ideas, even as secrecy shadows their relationship. The mystery about who they serve adds tension to their creative bond.

Cherry becomes angry when Bob performs the song, insisting she wrote the lines and that he did not. The dispute highlights the core issue of credit and recognition in ghostwriting. Their budding romance is strained by accusations and suspicion.

Confused and disillusioned, Bob travels back to town to resign from his role as ghost writer. He seeks a fresh start and a chance to pursue more honest collaborations. The split frees him to explore new possibilities.

Cherry goes to Oliver's office to report suspected stolen lines, and, to her surprise, they realize they have been working together all along. The revelation transforms their dynamic from adversaries to partners in a shared craft. The truth redefines their future projects.

With the truth out, Bob and Cherry decide to launch their own music composing careers. They commit to pursuing independent opportunities and collaborating as equals. The decision marks a shift away from Oliver's shadow toward creative autonomy.

They audition for Mr. Westlake, who shows a particular interest in Cherry. He offers her a job as a nightclub singer, but she remains loyal to their band plans. Bob supports the direction, balancing personal opportunity with their joint project.

Seeing a potential for Cherry, Bob gives his consent for her to work with Westlake while returning to Oliver as the ghost writer. He raises $200 to fund a premiere for the song they wrote together at Nobody's Inn. This shows his willingness to back Cherry's dreams.

During the premiere at Nobody's Inn, Oliver publicly acknowledges that the song wasn't written by him and urges the couple to stay together. The admission validates their authorship and dissolves the lingering doubts about who created the work.

Bob and Cherry announce their engagement and perform the song they wrote together. The moment cements their professional collaboration and their personal commitment, bringing the story to a hopeful conclusion.