In turn-of-the-century Greenwich Village, New York, at a boarding house for artists, owner Lulu Varden needs to have her piano moved and so, sets off the fire alarm. When her sweetheart, Irish-American fire chief Matthew O'Neil, arrives with his men and realizes that there is no fire, he becomes angry, so Lulu placates him by inviting him to a party that evening. Before he leaves, Matt learns that the Fire Department's efficiency trophy, which he covets, may go to another fire company headed by Scandinavian Capt. Olsen. As she leaves the boarding house, Patricia O'Neil, Matt's daughter, meets new boarders Steve Davis and Johnny Bennett, who have just arrived from Boston. When artist Steve's sweetheart, Olivia Radford, phones, she reminds him that after three weeks in the Village, he must return to her. That evening at her party, Lulu introduces fledgling composer Johnny to the influential Mr. Dillingsworth, who promises to read Johnny's score when it is completed. Steve asks Pat to pose for a painting he is planning to enter into a calendar contest, offering her the first prize of $500 if they win. As Pat poses for Steve, Johnny and poet Byron Jones finish their score, which Johnny then takes to Dillingsworth. Meanwhile, Steve finishes his painting of Pat and asks her to go with him to the upcoming jamboree at the Swiss Gardens. That night, Steve alters his painting of Pat to reveal naked legs, and the painting wins first place. However, when Matt sees the painting of his daughter, he again loses his temper and Steve must hide to avoid him. Later, as Steve prepares to leave for the jamboree, Olivia arrives in town, so Steve asks Johnny to take Pat to the jamboree. Just as Johnny explains that Steve is unable to make it to the jamboree, Olivia and Steve arrive. Steve tells Pat that Olivia is his cousin, and she believes him and thinks that Johnny has lied. Impressed by Steve's score, Dillingsworth is negotiating to buy it, when the mayor arrives to officiate at the game of Tug O' War which will break a tie to award the efficiency trophy. Matt's fire company is about to lose, when one of Olsen's huge Scandinavians loses his grip on the rope. They all celebrate the victory, while Byron and his sweetheart, Tessie, get engaged.