A meek Belgian soldier fighting in World War I receives penpal letters and a photo from Mary Brown, an American girl he has never met. He becomes infatuated with her by long distance. After the war, the young Belgian journeys to America as assistant to a theatrical strong man, Zandow the Great. While in America, he searches for Mary Brown... and he finds her, just as word comes that Zandow is incapacitated and the little nebbish must go on stage in his place.