The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

In a spectacle billed as "The Race of the Ages," two ocean giants prepare to clash in a frantic dash across the Atlantic. The S.S. Gigantic and its rival, the S.S. Colossal, are set to engage in a high-stakes competition, with the owner of the Gigantic, T. Frothingill Bellows, plotting to secure victory through unconventional means. His scheme involves his mischievous, look-alike brother, S.B. Bellows, setting the stage for a journey where family rivalry and maritime mischief promise to churn the waters before the ships even leave the dock.

Aboard the luxury liner, the atmosphere vibrates with the energy of a live radio broadcast, helmed by the charismatic Buzz Fielding. Fresh from a stint in "alimony jail," Buzz attempts to keep the show running smoothly while juggling a chaotic personal life. With three ex-wives—Cleo, Grace, and Joan—roaming the deck and a current romantic interest in Dorothy Wyndham, the emcee finds his professional duties entangled with unresolved feelings. His efforts to manage the spectacle are further complicated by the presence of First Officer Robert Hayes, whose earnest nature and connection to the ship’s engineering add a layer of grounded charm to the proceedings.

The voyage promises a mix of screwball comedy and musical elegance, elevated by the presence of the notoriously unlucky Martha Bellows and performances from renowned opera stars. As the passengers settle in, the line between the race’s competitive spirit and the onboard entertainment begins to blur. With schemes brewing on the bridge and romances intertwining on the deck, the film sets a course for a breezy, star-studded adventure where the true spectacle is found in the collision of personalities aboard the Gigantic.