Godfrey (William Powell), takes refuge from a bad love affair and his wealthy family with homeless tramps on the city dump, where he is discovered by a wealthy socialite Irene (Carole Lombard) and taken home and installed as the family butler. The family, including the father (Eugene Pallette), mother (Alice Brady) and sister (Gail Patrick) are a dizzy lot who have gotten through a number of butlers. Undaunted Godfrey competently buttles for the family and teaches them some lessons about life, falling in love with Irene along the way. But there are complications for all including a jealous older sister, and a free loading artist called Carlos (Mischa Auer).