The friendship between two orphans endures even though they grow up on opposite sides of the law and fall in love with the same woman.

After a four year absence, detective Nick Charles returns to New York with his wife Nora and their dog Asta. He’s approached by a woman whose inventor father is suspected of murdering her step-mother. Nick isn’t all that keen on resuming his former profession but is egged-on and assisted by Nora.