Josh Mallon, portrayed by Bing Crosby, and Ace Lannigan, played by Bob Hope, are lifelong friends who bravely navigate life's tumultuous journey on the high seas together. After a grueling voyage, their ship docks in America, where they are confronted by the distressing stories of their shipmates, many of whom face turmoil in their love lives. Moved by these unfortunate tales, Josh and Ace make a solemn pact to steer clear of romantic relationships forever. However, this vow is quickly challenged when Ace encounters the fierce Cherry, who insists on his taking up fatherly duties, throwing his commitment into jeopardy.
As if that weren't enough, Josh, the heir to a wealthy shipping magnate played by Charles Coburn, grapples with his own relationship issues. His fiancée, Gloria, enacted by Judith Barrett, along with the pressure from his father to manage the family business, weighs heavily on him. As tension mounts, Josh and Ace find themselves spiraling into a whirlwind of misadventures, journeying from the bustling streets of Honolulu to the enchanting beaches of Singapore.
Their escapade takes a surprising twist when they find themselves on the picturesque island of Kaigoon, near Bali, where they encounter the stunning Mima, portrayed by Dorothy Lamour](/actor/dorothy-lamour). This captivating beauty is trapped in an abusive relationship with her partner, Caesar, played by [Anthony Quinn. Josh and Ace, stepping in to rescue her from her plight, invite Mima to stay with them. Little do they know, her arrival will ignite a series of chaotic and comedic events as they embark on reckless get-rich-quick schemes, one of which involves selling a dubious spot remover notorious for destroying fabrics.
As fate would have it, Josh's father catches wind of his son's misadventures and heads to the island alongside Gloria, eager to bring him back home. Their arrival complicates matters as Caesar leads them to the trio's raucous celebrations. Both Josh and Ace have fallen head over heels for Mima, and the surprise revelation regarding Gloria's true identity as Josh's fiancée sends shockwaves through their dynamic.
In his fervor, Ace proposes to Mima, but before she can respond, Josh's return ignites a fierce confrontation between the two friends. In a bid to resolve their conflict, they agree that Mima should ultimately make the choice between them. With a heart heavy with sadness, Mima opts for Ace, leaving Josh to depart the island alongside his father and Gloria.
Yet, the drama doesn't end there. Caesar informs the authorities of Ace's unauthorized presence on the island, resulting in Ace's arrest for failing to produce identification. Although he manages to escape, he soon realizes that Mima's heart belongs to Josh. As the story unfolds, Josh's ship gracefully docks at a sun-drenched port while he unwittingly steps into a whirlwind of excitement and chaos. A disgruntled passenger's loud complaint about the faulty spot remover leads Josh straight to his missing friends. Sensing the urgency of the situation, he embarks on a determined quest to reunite with Ace and Mima, only to discover that Mima has been secretly pining for him as well, adding yet another twist to their intricate web of relationships.
