Tommy Tanner (Wheeler) and Egbert G. Higginbotham (Woolsey) are two vaudevillians who were kicked out of the last town they performed in.

After fleeing to the town of Lockville, the duo befriend elderly widow Mother Talley (Lucy Beaumont).

In addition, Mother owes a payment on a bank note to Harry Watters (Jason Robards).

Tommy and Egbert decide to turn Mother's drugstore into a money-making venture, even producing their own afternoon radio program right in the store.

Harry, who wants to buy the store as part of a bootlegging operation, attempts to sell the duo an alcohol-laced drink, referring to it as "lemon-syrup".