Fig Leaf for Eve

Hoping to generate some publicity for his client, New York exotic dancer Eve Lorraine, talent agent Dan MacGrath arranges for her to be arrested for indecency during one of her performances at the Club Cezanne. Eve is soon bailed out by bondsman Gus Hoffman, who briefly questions her about her past. Hoffman is piqued by Eve's statement that she was orphaned as an infant after her actor parents died when a theater collapsed somewhere out West. Later, Hoffman checks his files and discovers a classified ad announcing a $1,000 reward for information concerning a woman whose parents died twenty-three years previously when a theater collapsed in Colorado. In response to the ad, Hoffman visits lawyer Thomas W. Campbell, who tells him that the woman in question stands to inherit a portion of hair tonic king J. P. Sardam's multi-million-dollar estate. After Hoffman reassures Campbell that he has proof that Eve is the heiress, he gives her the good news. Although Mac is suspicious of Hoffman and warns Eve not to get her hopes up, Eve is ecstatic, as she has always sensed that culture is in her blood. Campbell then arranges for Eve and Mac to meet Eve's uncle, Horace Sardam, his wife Lavinia and grown daughter Millicent, at the Sardam estate. When Mac casually reveals that Eve, who has adopted her mother's married name, Westlund, was arrested for indecent exposure, the snobbish Lavinia denounces her. Eve is enraged by Lavinia's harsh rejection and is about to leave the Sardams' when she encounters Sarah Burch, her great aunt. Unlike Lavinia and Millicent, Sarah, who is visiting from Wyoming, is down-to-earth and kind and happily accepts Eve's invitation to the Club Cezanne. Eve is so taken with Sarah that she convinces her to move in with her in the new apartment that Horace has rented for her. With Horace's generous advances on her inheritance, which is still being settled in probate court, Eve buys a new wardrobe, starts French lessons and learns about Shakespeare. Worried that he will not collect any money if Eve's claim is denied, Hoffman, meanwhile, tells Mac that he wants an immediate "cut" of Eve's windfall. Mac warns Eve about Hoffman's demands, but Eve dismisses his concerns. Millicent then shows up unexpectedly at Eve's apartment and asks her to perform in an upcoming high-society benefit show. Anxious to prove herself, Eve accepts and prepares a scene from Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra . When the audience laughs at Eve's awkward interpretation, she runs from the stage in humiliation. Eve's shame soon turns to rage, however, when Lavinia offers her $10,000 to drop her claim. Eve not only turns down the money, but dares to return to the stage and perform one of her exotic dances. While Eve dazzles everyone in the audience but Lavinia, Mac goes to wait for Eve at her apartment. Soon after he arrives, Hoffman shows up, once again demanding his share. Hoffman and Mac start to fight, and Hoffman arms himself with Sarah's gun. During an ensuing struggle, the gun accidentally fires, and Hoffman is killed. Stunned, Mac leaves the building, leaving Eve to be arrested on suspicion of murder. Later, however, Mac confesses his involvement, and Eve is released. After Campbell reveals that Hoffman had once been convicted of forgery and had forged papers regarding Eve, Mac is cleared of all charges. Sarah, Horace and Cambbell conclude that, despite Hoffman's deceit, Eve really is the Sardam heiress and her claim, which has been accepted in court, should be honored. Eve nevertheless decides to withdraw her claim and go to Wyoming with Sarah. Mac changes her mind, however, when he finally confesses that he has long loved her and wants to marry her.