Esther Blodgett is just another pretty, home-grown farm girl amongst an army of ambitious youngsters seeking to make her mark in Hollywood. Down to her last two dollars, she takes a job waitressing at a Hollywood party, where she catches the eye of Norman Maine, a Hollywood star. He takes such a shine to Esther, that he follows her to the kitchen and causes a ruckus, cutting short her backup career in service - but taking her to the start of a whole new adventure.