Reporter Hildy Johnson is eager to leave his job at the newspaper to get married and settle down. However, his manipulative editor, Walter Burns, is determined to keep him at the paper, especially with the imminent execution of Earl Williams, a convict whose story could sell a lot of newspapers. As Hildy tries to bid farewell to his journalistic career, he stumbles upon a twist in the Williams case that could dramatically change the convict's fate. The discovery pulls Hildy back into the chaotic world of headlines and deadlines, much to the delight of Walter, who seizes every opportunity to keep Hildy entrenched in the newsroom.

Amidst the frenetic efforts to secure an exclusive scoop, Hildy maneuvers through a labyrinth of deception and double-crosses, while trying to maintain his promise to his fiancée and her disapproving mother. Complications escalate as corrupt politicians and hapless law enforcement officers contribute to the pandemonium surrounding the impending execution. The tension mounts as Hildy struggles to balance his loyalty to his profession with his desire for a new life. The gripping pace and swirling events lead to a crescendo that tests Hildy's resolve and underscores the moral complexities inherent in the pursuit of truth and justice.