Laurel and Hardy find themselves employed at a struggling circus, initially performing as part of a Pantomime horse act and later as assistants to the strongman, Destructo.

Their involvement inadvertently leads to the destruction of the Big Top during a mishap in Destructo's cannonball-catching routine, resulting in financial ruin for the circus.

As compensation for their unpaid wages, Oliver is assigned a gorilla named Ethel, while Stan receives ownership of a Flea Circus.

Confusion ensues when the landlord, hearing the commotion, mistakenly believes his wife, also named Ethel, is in the room with Laurel and Hardy.

Confronted by the landlord with a pistol, the situation escalates into chaos when Ethel, the gorilla, gains control of the firearm, causing panic among the occupants.