J. Harold Manners (Lloyd) is an Eccentric Millionaire so obscenely wealthy that he just buys a new car whenever he gets into an accident, which is often. Meanwhile, on the poor side of town, Brother Paul (Paul Weigel) and his daughter Hope (Jobyna Ralston) are doing their best to help out the underprivileged. Due to a misunderstanding, Harold gives them the money they need to establish a mission. When he finds out what happened and goes to confront them, he gets roped into running the new mission for a while. Hilarity Ensues.
Tropes:
- Banana Peel: Harold slips on one during the climactic chase.
- Dramatic Irony: When Harold sees the headline about a millionaire founding a mission, he laughs about what a "conceited ass" this person must be, ending by noting that he would never do anything like that. Of course, the audience already knows that he's the millionaire who founded the mission.
- Every Proper Lady Should Curtsy: Hope does a little curtsy when she's formally introduced to Harold.
- Hero Stole My Bike: Harold is on the receiving end of this trope in the opening of the film, when the police commandeer his second car to chase after some criminals. Later, at the end of the film, Harold sorta accidentally steals a bus while racing to his wedding.
- Uptown Boy: Lloyd's character is actually called "The Uptown Boy" in the cast list while his love interest Hope is called "The Downtown Girl."
- Watch the Paint Job: At the beginning of the film, Harold trashes two new cars in succession.
- Wealthy Philanthropist: Harold becomes one by accident. After inadvertently destroying Brother Paul's pushcart, he offers to pay for it. Brother Paul thinks he's offering to found a mission and says he needs a thousand dollars. Harold is so rich that he just goes with it and doesn't realize what happened until he reads about his supposed generosity in the newspaper.
- Wrong Side of the Tracks: Or "Downtown," as it's called in the film.
