The Cream of the Jest

Charles Hanover Gresham is a broken-down old actor whose bar tab is so steep the bartender won't even serve him another drink. Gresham learns that the playwright, Wayne Campbell, is auditioning actors for a new play. He begs Campbell for a part, but his old colleague has no use for this unreliable has-been. Gresham resorts to blackmail. Since Campbell won't give him a part, he demands an "annuity" or he'll reveal Campbell's secret past. Campbell has another idea.