In this romantic comedy, Ronnie Jackson (Bob Hope) has been sentenced to death row. From his last days in prison, the former baby photographer tells how he wound up in his predicament. Told in flashback, he tells reporters how he was tasked to watch the office of his neighbor, a private investigator, when a stunning woman (Dorothy Lamour) mistakes him for the P.I. himself. Unable to resist, he agrees to help her find a missing baron, and is drawn into a murder mystery. Spoofing movie detectives and the film noir style, the film features Lon Chaney, Jr. Playing Willie, a character based on his Of Mice and Men role Lennie; Peter Lorre as Kismet, a comic take on his many film noir roles; and cameo appearances by film noir regular Alan Ladd and Hope partner Bing Crosby.