Going to Glory, Come to Jesus

Outside a church, a young woman named Ethel is chatting with the congregation's reverend, Mr. Scott, when her old friend Bessie appears. Bessie is a wild girl who encourages Ethel to drink Manhattan cocktails and likes to talk about her boyfriend's zoot suit and wide-brimmed hat. Ethel then introduces Lillie-Mae Scott, the reverend's daughter, to Bessie. Although Bessie hopes to "hep" the straight-laced girl by criticizing her plain clothing and ugly face, Ethel assures Bessie that Lillie-Mae is a good, Christian child. A gospel singing group begins to perform in the church, and Ethel and Lillie-Mae are eager to listen. Bessie insists, however, that they go to the Half-Moon Jitterbug Club instead. Later, as Lillie-Mae gets ready for church, she thinks about Bessie's insults and feels a desire for new clothes and a life outside of the "amen-corner." She confesses her feelings to her mother, who tells her that she is a sick and sinful girl and promises to tell the reverend to pray for her. When her mother goes to church, Lillie-Mae thinks aloud that she would happily sell her soul to be beautiful. The Devil arrives and tries to tempt Lillie-Mae, but God's voice keeps her on the right path. When the reverend and his wife return home, they find their daughter in a delirium. Mrs. Scott believes Lillie-Mae to be sick and in need of a doctor, but the reverend tells her that the girl is a sinner and needs to pray. Mrs. Sharpe, a neighbor, fetches a doctor, despite Scott's insistence on prayer. After the doctor witnesses Lillie-Mae's mad ravings, he gives the girl a sedative and shows the Scotts out of the room. Just then, the Devil reappears and Lillie-Mae pledges her soul to him in exchange for beauty. Meanwhile, Joe, Bessie's boyfriend, tries to seduce Ethel. When Bessie confronts him, he declares that she has been ruined now that she is "hep" and he now wants to find a marriageable girl. Although Azaline, Lillie-Mae's maid, assures her that she is the most beautiful person in the world, Lillie-Mae replies that she will never get married as it takes away one's pleasure. Just then, the Prince O'Hades arrives to take Lillie-Mae out on a date. Lillie-Mae is surprised to find that, when she tries to look at herself and the Prince in the mirror, he has no reflection. At the Cottage Inn Club, Lillie-Mae is introduced as the most beautiful girl in the world. Bessie shows up as a tramp selling flowers and Lillie-Mae calls her ugly and angrily sends her away. Bessie warns her that the Devil will get her just like he got Bessie. The Prince O'Hades begins to laugh diabolically and then Lillie-Mae sees that she has turned ugly again. As she hears the song "Where He Leads Me I Will Follow," she begs the Lord for mercy. Later, Lillie Mae is rebaptized in a river and begs God to take her back into the fold. Lillie-Mae then wakes up from a dream and tells her father that she dreamed of the Devil but now she wants to shout. The reverend joyously tells her to go ahead and shout, as she now has "got religion."