Wake Up and Live 1937

Eddie's arrival and failed radio audition

Eddie Kane arrives in town with dreams of a vaudeville duet. He auditions at a local radio station but freezes at the microphone, turning a hopeful moment into a failure. Jean Roberts moves on to perform solo, and Eddie starts seeking an alternate path at the same station as an usher.

Eddie becomes usher and meets Wake Up and Live

After the failed audition, Eddie takes a job as an usher at the radio station. He overhears Alice Huntley's Wake Up and Live program and is drawn to the host's pep and philosophy. Inspired, he begins to study the technique in hopes of conquering his mic fear.

Eddie befriends the host and trains

Eddie befriends Alice Huntley, the host of Wake Up and Live, and starts applying her motivational methods to conquer stage fright. He practices in the studio, learning to project his voice and control his nerves. The plan is to use the show’s techniques to eventually perform on air.

Accidental live performance launches the Phantom Troubadour

While practicing in a studio, Eddie sings into what he believes is a dead microphone and is inadvertently broadcast live. Audiences across America are charmed by his voice, while no one knows the singer’s real identity. The phenomenon of the 'Phantom Troubadour' erupts and attracts nationwide attention.

Public obsession and the hunt to unmask him

News and gossip networks explode with the mystery of the Phantom Troubadour. Listeners and viewers across the country wonder who he is, prompting a race among radio personalities to identify the anonymous singer. Eddie remains unaware that his voice has become a national curiosity.

Rivals step into the unmasking game

Well-known radio figures Walter Winchell and Ben Bernie enter the chase, each trying to outdo the other in uncovering the Phantom's identity. Their competitive broadcasts escalate the mystery and fanfare around the unknown singer. Eddie's anonymity becomes a magnet for attention and speculation.

Alice plots profit and reveals nothing

Alice realises she can profit from the Phantom's fame and begins manipulating events for pay. She tells the station she knows the singer’s identity and arranges for more broadcasts from her apartment, but refuses to disclose Eddie’s identity or the full truth. Eddie remains in the dark about the deception, while his voice continues to captivate audiences.

From apartment broadcasts to sham performances

Alice sets up broadcasts of the Phantom's voice from her apartment, creating the illusion that a remote singer is performing. Eddie is pulled into scenarios where he believes the mic is off, but is actually live to air. The deception escalates as miscommunications and staged cues multiply.

Farce intensifies and truths inch closer

The farce grows more tangled as new ruses and clues surface, drawing in more people to the deception. Pressure mounts on Eddie and Alice as the public's interest sharpens and the likelihood of exposure increases. The emotional stakes rise as their professional manipulation begins to affect their growing feelings.

The truth comes to light

The lingering deception is revealed, exposing the Phantom Troubadour as Eddie. The unmasking brings consequences but clears the air for honesty. In the aftermath, Eddie and Alice discover their feelings for each other and begin to see a future together.

Resolution and romance bloom

With the truth exposed, Eddie and Alice move beyond manipulation and form a genuine connection. The public's fascination gives way to a personal bond as they navigate love and career choices. The story ends with a sense of reconciliation and new beginnings.