After graduating from college, timid young Billy Tanner is told by his guardians that his late father had worked in a circus, and he must now enter the family trade. Sometime later, Billy accidentally knocks out a boxing champion, who challenges him to a match. Billy does not do well in the bout until the circus owner, Old Man Barnabas Tingling, instructs him on how to land a punch. After winning the fight, Billy saves the Tingling Circus and wins the love of the owner's daughter.—AFI