In and around some great blues, swing and jazz music, a very unpopular band-leader. Prince Ellis, is killed in a Harlem nightclub, and, in and around some more great music, a detective finds the lists of suspects is very long, as Prince Ellis was indeed very unpopular with many citizens.

Samson Brown is a lazy and shiftless husband who lets his wife, Hannah, support the family. He is constantly insulted and annoyed by his in-laws, who live with them, and finally takes off for points unknown. At home, life goes on as usual with the exception of a former suitor who shows up to court Hannah when it is believed Samson is dead. While wandering around the desert Samson discovers a valuable radium deposit. The now-rich Samson plans to return home and sort out the family matters but first he buys a nightclub.