What Is Up in Arms About?
The premise of Up in Arms in 281 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bustling halls of a New York City medical building, Danny Weems has carved out an unusual niche for himself as an elevator operator with a singular obsession: his own health. The doctors and nurses know him well as a devoted hypochondriac, accustomed to fielding his endless questions about symptoms both real and imagined. But Danny’s carefully constructed world of imagined ailments is about to be upended by an unexpected draft notice, pulling him from his comfortable routine into the chaos of wartime service.
Complicating matters is a tangled web of romantic feelings surrounding Danny and his best friend, Joe Nelson. Danny harbors deep affection for nurse Mary Morgan, yet her heart belongs to Joe — while Joe’s own girlfriend, Virginia Merrill, quietly carries a torch for Danny. The four find themselves caught in an emotional tangle of unrequited love and unspoken feelings, each connection adding complexity to an already uncertain future.
As the men prepare for military service, the situation grows even more delicate when Mary and Virginia enlist as army nurses. Now officers, the women must navigate strict rules against fraternizing with enlisted men — a regulation that sits uneasily with the unresolved emotions simmering beneath the surface. With a Pacific-bound troopship awaiting and wartime tightening its grip, the stage is set for misunderstandings and romantic entanglements.
Danny’s determination to stay close to those he cares about drives him toward increasingly unconventional solutions, and his penchant for ill-conceived schemes promises to turn deployment into something far more complicated than anyone anticipated. What follows is a fast-paced collision of slapstick and sincerity, where one man’s restlessness collides with military discipline in ways that no briefing could prepare him for.
What Happens in Up in Arms?
The complete story of Up in Arms, from the first scene to the last, in 273 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Danny Weems works as an elevator operator in a New York City medical building, a job that lets him stay close to doctors and nurses and listen to free opinions about his supposed illnesses. The doctors know him well and regard him as a hypochondriac. When he is drafted into the US Army for war service, he is devastated. His best friend Joe Nelson also gets drafted so he can keep an eye on him.
Danny is in love with nurse Mary Morgan, but she loves Joe Nelson, and Joe’s girl Virginia Merrill secretly loves Danny. The trio’s complicated feelings set the stage for what’s to come, even as the men train and prepare for service. As they make their way through basic training, Mary and Virginia reveal that they have also enlisted as army nurses. Because they are officers, they cannot fraternize with the men, which adds tension to the growing closeness and misunderstandings among them.
Danny contrives to smuggle Mary Morgan on board and tries to keep her hidden during the voyage, hoping to enjoy a private moment with her. The truth eventually comes out, and Danny is hauled before Colonel Ashley and sent to the brig. The troubles continue as the unit lands on a Pacific island, where Danny is again imprisoned. In a surprising turn, he is “rescued” by a Japanese patrol. They attempt to interrogate him, but Danny manages to bamboozle them and, in a daring move, impersonates the commander. He gives orders that cause the troops to surrender to the Americans, and his quick thinking transforms him into a hero in the eyes of his fellow soldiers.
Up in Arms Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Danny's life as elevator operator” to “Danny becomes a war hero”. 12 events name a place, across 7 locations.
- 1
Danny's life as elevator operator
Danny Weems works as an elevator operator in a New York medical building, using his proximity to doctors to learn about his supposed illnesses. The doctors know him as a hypochondriac and humor his constant complaints with sympathy and patience. This routine frames his ordinary life before the war interrupts.
Where:New York City, hospital building
- 2
Draft into the US Army
Danny is drafted into the US Army for war service, and the news devastates him because it pulls him away from the medical world he relies on. He fears losing touch with the doctors and nurses who tolerate his illness fantasies. The draft sets the story in motion.
Where:New York
- 3
Best friend Joe is drafted too
Danny's best friend Joe is drafted as well so he can keep an eye on him and prevent him from slipping into trouble. The two friends find themselves bound by the shared difficulty of military life. Their bond becomes a lifeline as danger approaches.
Where:New York
- 4
Love triangle emerges
Danny loves nurse Mary Morgan, but Mary loves Joe and Joe's girl Virginia secretly loves Danny. The complex feelings threaten to complicate orders and camaraderie during training. The romance adds emotional stakes to the upcoming missions.
Where:Army base (training grounds)
- 5
Basic training begins
The boys go through basic training, facing the rigors of discipline and drills. They build camaraderie even as the stress of war weighs on them. The experience solidifies their group, for better or worse.
Where:Basic training camp
- 6
Nurses enlist and ship out
Mary and Virginia enlist as army nurses and join the voyage to the South Pacific together with the rest of the unit. As officers, they cannot fraternize with the enlisted men, creating tension and testing boundaries. The journey marks a shift from peacetime life to the realities of war.
Where:Onboard ship to the South Pacific
- 7
Danny's smuggling plan
Danny contrives to smuggle Mary onto the transport, hoping to keep her close and defy the odds. He hides her on board, defying the strict boundaries between officers and enlisted. The ruse is risky and nearly succeeds before being exposed.
Where:Onboard ship to the South Pacific
- 8
Confrontation with Colonel Ashley
When the truth surfaces, Danny is hauled before Colonel Ashley and promptly sent to the brig. The misstep costs him his freedom and tests his resolve under confinement. The incident exposes the tension between romance, duty, and discipline.
Where:Brig and Colonel Ashley's office
- 9
Imprisonment on the Pacific island
The troops land on a Pacific island and Danny is imprisoned by the enemy, a perilous moment that puts his life in danger. His captors threaten interrogation and resistance, heightening the stakes. Yet the situation will soon take an unexpected turn.
Where:Pacific island
- 10
Rescue and interrogation
A Japanese patrol 'rescues' Danny, and the close shave becomes fodder for his quick thinking. They interrogate him, but Danny uses wit to bamboozle his captors and survive. He then seizes the chance to mislead them by assuming authority.
Where:Pacific island
- 11
Impersonating the commander
Danny impersonates the island commander, issuing orders that force the Japanese troops to surrender to the Americans. His deception hinges on timing, bravado, and the confidence of a man who knows how to talk his way out of danger. The ruse shifts the balance of power in an instant.
Where:Pacific island
- 12
Danny becomes a war hero
The soldiers obey the orders and surrender to the Americans, and Danny is hailed as a hero for orchestrating the turning point. His audacity under pressure earns him recognition and a new sense of purpose. The episode marks an unlikely triumph born from a risky plan.
Where:Pacific island
Who Are the Main Characters in Up in Arms?
5 characters, among them Danny Weems (Danny Kaye), Mary Morgan and Virginia Merrill: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- DW
Danny Weems (Danny Kaye)
Played by Danny Kaye
An elevator operator in a New York City medical building who uses wit to survive and to win affection. Although initially seen as a hypochondriac, his quick thinking under pressure leads him to bold, unorthodox actions. His charm and resourcefulness drive the plot as he seeks to protect Mary and navigate duty and desire.
- 💡 Clever
- ❤️ Romantic
- 🔥 Brave
- MM
Mary Morgan
Played by Constance Dowling
A nurse who is kind and capable, deeply involved in the wartime medical effort. She is loved by Joe but is romantically tied to the conflict around Danny, ultimately becoming part of the nurse corps that faces the perils of deployment. Her presence ties the romantic and professional strands together.
- 💗 Compassionate
- ⚕️ Nurse
- 💖 Idealistic
-
Virginia Merrill
Played by Dinah Shore
A nurse and Joe’s girlfriend, secretly attracted to Danny. She balances duty with personal longing and becomes entangled in the social web among the servicemen and nurses. Her choices reflect the wartime push-and-pull between romance and obligation.
- 💙 Romantic
- ⚕️ Nurse
- 🕊️ Loyal
-
Joe Nelson
Played by Dana Andrews
Danny’s best friend who is drafted with him and becomes central to the love triangle as Mary’s interest. He represents steadiness and loyalty, navigating friendships, duty, and the evolving wartime relationships around him.
- 💚 Loyal
- ❤️ Romantic
- 🛡️ Steady
-
Colonel Ashley
Played by Louis Calhern
A by-the-book military officer who administers discipline and initially treats Danny as a troublemaker. He embodies authority and structure, challenging the characters to act with integrity under rules and stress. His decisions influence Danny’s arc from mischief to legitimacy.
- 🗝️ Strict
- 🛡️ Authoritative
- ⚖️ Disciplined
Where and When Is Up in Arms Set?
Up in Arms is set in New York City and South Pacific (World War II era (early 1940s)). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
World War II era (early 1940s)
The plot unfolds during World War II, with draftees undergoing basic training and sailing to the South Pacific. The narrative follows the surge of military discipline and wartime logistics, alongside civilian routines in New York. The events depict the home-front and battlefield experiences converging in a single story.
Where
New York City, South Pacific
The story starts in a bustling New York City medical building where Danny Weems works as an elevator operator among doctors and nurses. It shifts to the Pacific theater of World War II, as troops embark for the South Pacific and operate on a remote island. These settings establish a contrast between civilian city life and wartime duty.
- 🏙️ Urban
- ⚔️ War zone
- 🏝️ Island locale
What Are the Themes of Up in Arms?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love Triangle, Deception and Heroism.
-
01
Love Triangle
A complex web of affection drives much of the action: Danny loves Mary, Mary loves Joe, and Virginia is drawn to Danny. The ongoing romantic tension clashes with military duty and complicates decisions under pressure. The relationships influence who follows orders and who defies expectations for love.
-
02
Deception
Danny’s schemes—smuggling Mary aboard and later impersonating a commander—drive both the comedy and the drama. These deceptions test loyalty, trust, and the line between clever improvisation and rule-breaking. The story uses misdirection to reveal character and courage under stress.
-
03
Heroism
Danny’s rapid turn from mischief to making hard choices culminates in a wartime act of nerve and improvisation. His impersonation of the commander and the subsequent surrender order illustrate how wit can become heroism under pressure. The island sequence reframes what it means to be a true savior in a dangerous moment.
What Kind of Film Is Up in Arms?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A fast-paced romantic comedy filled with slapstick mishaps and chaotic energy as a hypochondriac navigates army life and love with surprising heroism.
- lighthearted
- playful
- romantic
- chaotic
- whimsical
- upbeat
- mistaken identity
- wartime romance
- mischievous schemes
- unexpected heroism
Content notes: war themes.
Where to Watch Up in Arms
Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fawesome, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 9
Amazon Prime Video 
Amazon Prime Video with Ads 
Fawesome 
Hoopla 
Kanopy 
Plex 
Plex Channel 
Tubi TV 
YouTube Free 
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