She is accompanied by naval deserter Edward Patrick 'Little Ned' Finnegan and magician/pickpocket Sasha Mencken.

Eventually, she meets a handsome young naval officer, Lt. Dan Brent, and the two fall in love.

Dietrich had just revived her career with Destry Rides Again (1939) and this film featured many of the same elements, including cast members Mischa Auer, Billy Gilbert and Samuel S. Hinds.

She also says Dietrich selected John Wayne as her leading man after spotting him in the commissary and saying to producer Joe Pasternak, "Mommy wants that for Christmas.

In 1950, the film was remade as South Sea Sinner, starring Macdonald Carey and Shelley Winters.