You Were Never Lovelier

Bob Davis, a renowned American dancer, loses his money gambling in Buenos Aires. He seeks employment with Eduardo Acuña, but the wealthy club owner refuses to see him. With his prospects dwindling, Bob wonders what his next move will be.

Xavier Cugat, Bob's friend and bandleader, invites him to perform at the wedding of Acuña's eldest daughter Julia. The opportunity promises high visibility and a steady gig. Bob heads to the event hoping to turn his luck around.

Acuña outlines his plan that his daughters must wed in order of age, with Maria next in line. Maria resists marriage, while Cecy and Lita want to marry quickly. The arrangement sets the stage for a calculated scheme that involves Bob.

During Julia's wedding reception, Bob is attracted to Maria, but she rebuffs him and refuses to speak to him. Bob offhandedly insults Maria, calling her cold, which underscores the tension surrounding her prospects. The moment heightens the stakes of Acuña's plan.

Acuña starts sending orchids and anonymous love notes from a supposed secret admirer to Maria. Unbeknownst to Bob, he is the one delivering the latest note and flower, and Maria sees him drop them off. She mistakes Bob for her secret admirer and grows intrigued.

Maria asks her father to introduce Bob and invites him to dinner. Bob agrees to participate as part of Acuña's plan to keep him in Maria's orbit. The dinner turns chaotic when Mrs. Acuña nearly shoots Bob, adding a tense moment to the evening.

After the dinner, Maria and Bob go to the garden and share a dance. Bob realizes Maria is genuinely falling for him, complicating the manipulation. Acuña sets a new bargain: if Bob courts Maria but acts obnoxious, it will secure a future contract for him to perform.

Despite Bob's attempts to play the role of a disappointment, he and Maria fall in love. The romance disrupts Acuña's plan, and he orders Bob to leave Buenos Aires to end the affair. The couple's feelings threaten the arrangement he designed.

At Acuña's 25th anniversary celebration, he plans to craft a farewell note from Bob. Cecy and Lita try to push Bob and Maria apart, but their efforts fail. Mrs. Acuña catches Bob writing the note and accuses him of cheating with Maria Castro, Maria's friend.

Bob and Maria confront the situation in Acuña's office. Bob admits that he has not been writing the love letters to Acuña's daughter, which disappoints Maria. Maria apologizes to Maria Castro for any confusion caused by the mix-up.

Impressed by Bob's honesty and behavior, Acuña grants him permission to begin dating Maria. The earlier manipulations lose their bite as a genuine connection forms. The couple can pursue a real relationship now.

Bob seeks Acuña's help and learns about Lochinvar, Maria's first love. He imitates the knight and returns to the dance floor with a renewed sense of charm. Maria is moved by his performance and decides to stay with him.