The film is the third cinematic adaptation of Ferenc Molnár's play about comedic deception and romance Testőr after The Guardsman (1931) and The Chocolate Soldier (1941).

Fitz Wynn (Christopher Plummer), a successful and truly talented but overly satisfied stage actor, wants to star in a new movie written by his wife Lily (Maggie Smith).

With the help of his old friend and business partner Jerry (Adolph Green), Fitz orchestrates his own transformation into Roberto Terranova, a blonde Italian alter ego who seems to be exactly what Lily wants for the role.

In 1977 Smith had starred in a triumphant Toronto stage revival of The Chocolate Soldier, the musical adaptation of the original play.

"[3] The Los Angeles Times noted the film's faulty make-up effects: "In this post-"Tootsie” era Plummer’s disguise really must be convincing and not the mere superficial theatrical convention that it is.