In New York City, nightclub singer Nina Malone is sought after by wealthy patron Clinton, who offers her a ride home, but when she rejects his advances in the taxi, he accuses her of stealing his money. At the police station, Nina is charged with theft, but another nightclub patron, Stevens, who also desires Nina, has followed them, and he pays her bail. Stevens is actually Stephen Collier, the son of the owner of the nation's largest newspaper chain. Stevens' father has expressed doubt at his son's ability to ferret out a story, and Stevens is out to prove him wrong. Tampa, the owner of the nightclub Nina works in, fires her because of the bad publicity, but she gives Nina some money and suggests she try to get a job at Barney Mack's, a nightclub with a notorious reputation. Barney hires Nina and her show becomes so successful that he asks another singer, Helen "Boots" Brian, to become her stage manager. Boots introduces Nina to her boyfriend, Jack Gold, and his fellow henchman, Spike Fagan. Soon, Nina fears that Boots's and Jack's lives are in danger, and she confides in Stevens. One evening, Boots arrives at Nina's apartment terrified, having seen two gangsters shoot Jack. Nina again turns to Stevens, which frightens Boots into fleeing. The district attorney visits Nina and accuses her of trying to cover for Boots, when in fact, Nina knows nothing. Boots is arrested for shooting Jack, and after Nina visits her at the jail, she receives a note meant for Spike, which warns him to get out of town before he is killed. Nina assumes the note is for her and confides in Spike, who suggests that they leave town together. After another singer, Marian, informs Nina that Barney's is a gangster hideout, Nina leaves and finds Spike shot and wounded. Stevens warns Nina that her life is in danger because the gangsters believe that she knows more than she is admitting. Stevens buys Nina a new wardrobe and sends her to hide in France. A year later Nina, working in a Paris nightclub as "Ninon Collette," waits for Stevens, but only Monsieur Drenier arrives. Despite her incredible success and Drenier's proposal, when Stevens calls, Nina immediately heads back to the States. In New York, Stevens tells Nina who he is, and after he tells his father that Spike killed Jack, Nina tells him he is wrong. Nina believes that Barney killed Jack, and they plan for her to get proof of his guilt that night. That evening, disguised as "Ninon," Nina asks around for Marian; she gives herself away in doing so, and Barney plans to kill her. Spike asks Nina to dance and takes the bullet which was meant for her. As the police take Barney away, Mr. Collier has the newspaper print the story of Spike's heroism.
