A collaborative journey where a song contest prize funds a cosmetic invention, leading to business success and personal romance.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Cosmetic Venture
Hackett launches a promotional beauty show with a song contest. Meanwhile, Lewis discovers his roommates' new lipstick invention, sparking a new business idea.
Key Events
Hackett's Promotional Launch — Hackett hires a band and announces a beauty show. Characters: J. Webster HackettLocation: Beauty Show Venue
Song Reward Announcement — Hackett offers a $1000 reward for a winning theme song. Characters: J. Webster HackettLocation: Beauty Show Venue
Lewis Submits Song — Aspiring songwriter Tiny Lewis submits his composition. Characters: Tiny LewisLocation: Hackett's Office
Lipstick Discovery — Lewis returns home to find his roommates' new cosmetic product. Characters: Tiny Lewis, Bradley Miller, MicheleLocation: Shared Apartment
Wilson's Product Evaluation — Local manager Janet Wilson recognizes the lipstick's commercial potential. Characters: Janet Wilson, Bradley Miller, MicheleLocation: Beauty Shop
The Contest & The Cash
Wilson pushes the team to enter the contest. Lewis wins the song prize, providing crucial funds to secure a booth at the upcoming beauty exhibition.
Key Events
Wilson's Product Evaluation — Local manager Janet Wilson recognizes the lipstick's commercial potential. Characters: Janet Wilson, Bradley Miller, MicheleLocation: Beauty Shop
Contest Entry Decision — Wilson encourages the trio to enter the lipstick in a beauty products contest. Characters: Janet Wilson, Bradley Miller, MicheleLocation: Beauty Shop
Song Selection Result — Lewis receives confirmation that his song has been chosen. Characters: Tiny LewisLocation: Hackett's Office
Reward Fund Allocation — The roommates pool the song reward to cover their booth fees. Characters: Tiny Lewis, Bradley Miller, MicheleLocation: Shared Apartment
Beauty Show Preparation — The team sets up their product showcase amidst event preparations. Characters: Bradley Miller, Michele, Janet WilsonLocation: Exhibition Hall
Rival Intervention
Grimble, a rival manufacturer, steps in to finance and produce the lipstick. The team prepares for the show while navigating competitive pressures.
Key Events
Beauty Show Preparation — The team sets up their product showcase amidst event preparations. Characters: Bradley Miller, Michele, Janet WilsonLocation: Exhibition Hall
Grimble's Market Entry — Rival manufacturer Grimble steps in to back the cosmetic venture. Characters: P.G. GrimbleLocation: Factory Floor
Production Agreement — Grimble formally agrees to produce the lipstick at his facilities. Characters: P.G. Grimble, Bradley Miller, MicheleLocation: Business Office
Product Showcase Launch — The team presents their finished product to industry attendees. Characters: Bradley Miller, Michele, Janet WilsonLocation: Beauty Show Floor
Industry Reception — Attendees respond positively to the innovative cosmetic formula. Characters: Bradley Miller, Michele, Janet WilsonLocation: Exhibition Hall
Rival Deal Announcement — Grimble publicly announces his partnership to manufacture the product. Characters: P.G. Grimble, Bradley MillerLocation: Main Stage
Showcase & Union
The product is successfully launched at the event. Grimble's deal is finalized, and Miller and Wilson find love, concluding the venture.
Key Events
Rival Deal Announcement — Grimble publicly announces his partnership to manufacture the product. Characters: P.G. Grimble, Bradley MillerLocation: Main Stage
Hackett's Show Conclusion — The promotional event reaches its scheduled finale. Characters: J. Webster HackettLocation: Beauty Show Venue
Romantic Resolution — Miller and Wilson acknowledge their mutual feelings and unite. Characters: Bradley Miller, Janet WilsonLocation: Exhibition Hall
Business Success Realized — The lipstick enters mass production under Grimble's supervision. Characters: Bradley Miller, Michele, P.G. GrimbleLocation: Factory Entrance
Song Performance Premiere — Lewis's winning theme song is performed at the event's closing. Characters: Tiny LewisLocation: Main Stage
Team Celebration — The roommates celebrate their combined musical and commercial victories. Characters: Tiny Lewis, Bradley Miller, MicheleLocation: Shared Apartment
Final Industry Status — The competitive landscape shifts as new partnerships solidify. Characters: P.G. Grimble, J. Webster HackettLocation: Corporate Offices
Story Breakdown
Promotional Event Launch — Hackett organizes a beauty show with a song contest.
Hackett Hires Band — The event organizer secures musical talent for the show.
Thousand Dollar Reward — A cash prize is offered to incentivize creative submissions.
Cosmetic Development Phase — The roommates create a new lipstick formula.
Lipstick Invention — Miller and Michele successfully develop a novel cosmetic product.
Wilson Product Review — Janet Wilson evaluates the formula and recognizes its market potential.
Financial Strategy Shift — Lewis wins the song prize to fund the booth.
Song Submission Process — Tiny Lewis submits his composition to the contest organizers.
Reward Cash Allocation — The monetary prize is strategically used to cover exhibition fees.
Rival Business Intervention — Grimble steps in to manufacture the product.
Grimble Market Entry — A competing manufacturer identifies the venture's commercial value.
Factory Production Deal — Formal agreements are signed to scale manufacturing operations.
Exhibition Showcase Event — The team presents their product at the show.
Booth Setup Preparation — The team arranges displays and organizes promotional materials.
Industry Audience Reception — Attendees evaluate the product and provide positive feedback.
Personal & Professional Resolution — Business deals close and romantic ties form.
Romantic Union Confirmed — Miller and Wilson acknowledge their feelings and commit to each other.
Mass Production Commences — The lipstick enters full-scale manufacturing under Grimble's supervision.
The American Beauty Association is about to hold its annual trade show in New York City and songwriter "Tiny" Lewis (Billy Gilbert) has just sold a song to Ina Ray Hutton ('Ina Ray Hutton'), the leader of an all-girl band headlining the show. Lewis shares an apartment with Bradley Miller ('Ross Hunter') and Michele (Fritz Feld), an artist, and Miller has just invented a non-staining lipstick called "Rosebud." Preparing to get a booth at the show, Miller is told by J. Webster Hackett (Alan Mowbray), a very devious "Cosmetics King,", intent on selling a big lipstick order to buyer Edgar Pomeroy (Thurston Hall), that it will cost him a $1000 to join the association and get a booth, which is about $999 more than Miller and his roomies have between them. But Miller's beauty-parlor girl friend, Janet Wilson ('Ann Savage'), meets factory-owner P. G. Grimble (Hugh Herbert), and money is soon no issue.
