Plot
When printer John R. Hodges is forced to retire at age 65 because of a company policy, he decides to do something about it. Dyeing his hair and beard black, he poses as Harold P. Cleveland, the president of his former employer's parent company, and goes on an inspection tour of his old workplace, with the firm's nervous, mystified executives in tow. While walking around the plant, Hodges runs into Joe Elliott, the boyfriend of his granddaughter Alice, and winks at him to let him in on the joke. Afterward, Hodges complains about the lack of experienced, older employees, causing company president Louis McKinley to promise to rescind the retirement policy and rehire all those affected by it within the past year.
Before he can depart, Hodges learns that McKinley has arranged for him to address the local chamber of commerce. He is up to the challenge, however, and delivers a rousing speech about the virtues of the older worker. He receives a standing ovation, the newspapers praise him, and the stock market even rises on the optimism generated.
Hodges is taken to dinner by McKinley and his neglected wife Lucille; McKinley has his eyes on Harriet, his curvaceous private secretary, though Harriet is more interested in another executive at the firm. Hodges has a wonderful time, dancing the night away with Lucille. Swept away by his compliments and attention, she fancies herself in love with him, and, back at home, she tells her dumbfounded husband that she wants a divorce.
Meanwhile, Joe is unable to convince anybody that Cleveland is actually an impostor. Frank Erickson, his rival for a promotion, and the entire Hodges family—son George, daughter-in-law Della, and Alice—all think Joe is crazy. However, when Hodges returns home with his dyed hair, Joe is vindicated. Because she is certain Hodges will be exposed anyway, Della proposes that Joe turn him in so he can get the promotion, but Joe refuses to do it. The next day, Erickson finally believes Joe and tries to warn their mutual boss Horace Gallagher, but Gallagher thinks Erickson is mentally unstable and gives the promotion to Joe, enabling Joe to finally propose to Alice.
The real Harold Cleveland finds himself in an awkward position. The speech has done wonders for his and his company's image, and even raised the price of the company's stock, but he is unsure of his impostor's motives. When McKinley discovers Hodges' identity and informs Cleveland, the big man decides to pay Hodges a visit.
Lucille goes to see Hodges, but he tells her that he will not come between a man and his wife, and that he suspects she is still in love with her husband. McKinley barges in and apologizes to Lucille, and the happy couple reconciles and kisses. As McKinley is leaving, he fires Hodges, in front of the real Cleveland, who has arrived by this time.
When Cleveland meets Hodges, he is reassured that the old man has no sinister motives. In fact, Cleveland is so impressed that he offers Hodges a job advising him on public relations, but Hodges turns him down, saying he is happy with his life as it is. Before Cleveland leaves, he tells Hodges that he will send McKinley a memo the next morning informing him that Hodges is to have his job back, for as long as he wants it.
