Catherine Barkley and Lt. Frederic Henry meet on the Italian front during World War I and fall in love.

Morning glory: An aspiring actress is mentored to success by several Broadway veterans.Little women: Follows the lives of the four March sisters living with their mother in Concord, Massachusetts, while their father is ministering to Union troops during the American Civil War.Stage door: A group of aspiring actresses share a boardinghouse in New York City.Philadelphia story: A socialite's wedding plans are complicated by the appearance of her ex-husband...

Esther Blodgett is just another starry-eyed farm kid trying to break into the movies. Waitressing at a Hollywood party, she catches the eye of alcoholic star Norman Maine, is given a shot at stardom, and is caught up in the Hollywood glamour machine . She and her idol Norman marry; but as her star rises, his comes crashing down.

"It's summer season at New England's Wentworth Plaza Hotel. And that means it's time for the rich to come out to play--and for gold diggers of every persuasion to try to reel in a sucker or two. Dick Powell heads the cast of this musical romp, playing a desk clerk who agrees to be a gentlemanly escort for the sheltered daughter (Gloria Stuart) of a wealthy widow"--Container.

The film depicts the fears, setbacks and daily struggles of aspiring young performers, and, for the very few, stardom and success.