The film is most notable for young Garland's performance of "You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It)", a tribute to Clark Gable which turned the teenage singer, who had been toiling in obscurity for a couple of years, into an overnight sensation, leading eventually to her being cast in The Wizard of Oz (1939) as Dorothy.

En route she meets talent agent Steve Raleigh (Robert Taylor) who, impressed with her dancing and singing, sets her on the road to stardom and romance blossoms between the two.

A subplot involves a boarding house for performers run by Alice (Sophie Tucker), who is trying to find a big break for young Betty (Judy Garland).

The song was specially prepared by Roger Edens for Clark Gable's 36th birthday as a present, and Garland sang it at the party given by MGM.

[6] The finale of the film takes place on a giant set upon which neon signs are visible showing the names of famous stage and screen stars.