巴斯特(巴斯特·基顿 Buster Keaton 饰)是一位名不见经传的街头摄影师,在意外之中结识了米高梅公司新闻短片部门的女秘书萨利(玛赛莲·黛 Marceline Day 饰),在萨利的引荐之下,巴斯特来到了米高梅,想要应聘成为那里的摄影师。
然而,巴斯特的职业之路 从一开始就风波不断,虽然屡遭失败,但善良的萨利一直都信任和支持着巴斯特,这让巴斯特十分感动深受鼓舞。斯塔格(哈罗德·古德温 Harold Goodwin 饰)是巴斯特的同事,正火热的追求着萨利,根本不把穷酸蹩脚的巴斯特放在眼里。某日,巴斯特接到萨利的线报赶到唐人街拍摄重大新闻,哪知道经历了千辛万苦回到新闻部却发现自己的摄影机中根本就没有安装录影带,萨利亦因此受到牵连。
Dave Roberts is a professional boxer better at losing in fixed matches than in knocking out his opponents. He turns up in towns and is part of a group who sets up corrupt boxing matches. Dave's life on the margins changes after he meets a mother and son. As he begins to care for them, he ultimately has to decide whether to continue in his low-life ways or turn the tables on tho...