The Sap from Syracuse

Crane driver Littleton Looney inherits $18,000 from his uncle and decides to fulfill his dream of traveling to Europe. He boards a luxury liner to Europe, excited about his new opportunity. His ex-boss Hopkins and associates hatch a prank, sending forged telegrams to the ship's captain claiming Looney is a notable engineer.

Hopkins' cronies convince the ship's crew that Looney is Vanderhoff, a famous engineer traveling incognito. They manipulate a senator into spreading this false information publicly, creating a scenario where Looney's true identity is hidden. This sets the stage for the ensuing misunderstandings.

Passenger Ellen Saunders learns she has 90 days to develop nickel mines in Macedonia or she will lose them to her guardian, banker Sidney Hycross. She is unaware of mining but seeks help after learning that a renowned engineer, supposedly Looney, is on the ship. Her focus shifts toward establishing the mines.

Hycross hears that Looney is aboard and assigns Nick Pangalos to keep Ellen away from him. The senator spreads the news of Looney's identity, fueling rumors among the passengers. Hycross becomes suspicious of Looney's real identity as he tries to verify his background.

Hycross learns that the machinery needed for the mines has been stranded away from Macedonia, threatening Ellen’s plans. Ellen confers with Looney, and during this problem-solving discussion, a romantic relationship begins to develop between them.

Looney is pursued by Flo Goodrich, a gold digger, while her friend Dolly Clark targets Hycross. Hycross confronts Ellen and goads her into a bet: if Looney isn’t Vanderhoff, she must relinquish the mines. The stakes become higher with all the deception involved.

Hycross seeks verification of Looney’s identity by contacting the Syracuse chamber of commerce, which gives a good recommendation. Nevertheless, Hycross remains unconvinced and organizes engineers to meet him in Macedonia to expose Looney, risking the delay of the mining project.

In Macedonia, the machinery remains stranded until the rains raise the river level, which could happen too late for the mining operations. Hycross’s plan to expose Looney as an impostor is underway, creating tension about whether the mines will be lost.

Looney confesses to Ellen that he is not an engineer, upsetting her. Feeling betrayed, Ellen considers ceding the mines to Hycross, giving in to the pressure. However, Looney’s quick thinking leads to a plan to dam the river, enabling the machinery to reach the mines.

Looney successfully dams the river, allowing the stranded machinery to reach the mines in time. Impressed by his ingenuity and character, the senator, who is revealed to be Vanderhoff, hires Looney as a consulting engineer. Ellen’s faith in him is restored.

Looney and Ellen continue their romance in Europe. Looney takes a job as a consulting engineer at her mines, fulfilling his dream of a new life and career. Their relationship is solidified through the shared success and new opportunities that lie ahead.