Walter Matthau portrays Sorrowful Jones, a grouchy, horse-racing bookie who makes his living off other people's losses. He's got a reputation to keep, so when an out-of-luck gambler begs him to accept his daughter as a marker on a debt, Sorrowful says yes. But now he's stuck with the girl and this six-year-old beauty may be more than he bargained for. She may even help a sour-faced bachelor find love!