Scotty McClenahan, captain of a damaged submarine, helps all his men escape but stays behind himself. At the last minute, rescue divers reach the ship and save him. The press hounds the new hero. He receives a ticker tape parade, and acquires a manager and a speech writer. Someone even writes a song, "Scotty Boy," about him. Tired of all the fuss, Scotty escapes from a party to visit his girl, Janet Porter. After a reporter sees him leave at three in the morning, Scotty announces his engagement. They have a happy carefree honeymoon, and then Scotty starts his job at the S. J. Boynton Gyroscope Co. He is eager to work, but it seems that he is only getting his high salary for the publicity value of his name. Scotty hates public life, so when he comes home after a speaking tour to see an interview with Janet announced on the cover of a magazine, he feels betrayed. They quarrel, and Janet leaves home. At the office, Boynton is upset about a new hero, Ole Olafson, who has been hired by a competitor, Atlas Gyroscope. Boynton wants Scotty to head an expedition up the Amazon in the repaired submarine to draw public attention back to him, but Scotty quits his job instead. Having taken this step, Scotty tries to reconcile with Janet. She suggests they try living with their parents and dating as they used to do. Reluctantly, he agrees, but finally presses her for a decision, and when she hesitates, he decides to go on the submarine expedition after all. Just as he leaves the house, Janet calls to tell Scotty she loves him. Together they leave for New York, and when a car stalls on the railroad tracks in front of them, Scotty pushes it over in a nick of time. Afraid of being a hero again, he then drives away as fast as he can.