In Paris, 1893, Aristide Forestier, a young, newly-appointed and over-zealous magistrate, decides to undertake a reform movement. Aristide’s first case involves some young women whose dance, the “can-can,” violates the Parisian morals code. When the chief judge dismisses the case (apparently, all the witnesses had cinders in their eyes when the crime was committed) Aristide goes to Montmartre to investigate the matter personally.
Aristide gets his evidence but, in the process, falls in love with La Môme Pistache, the café proprietress. In the Montmartre, he meets: Claudine, the principal dancer of the can-can palaces; Boris Adzinidzinadze, the temperamental artist whom she supports; and Hilaire Jussac, the art critic with whom Boris fights an uproariously funny duel. Aristide ends up in a police scandal which gets him disbarred. He confesses his love for Pistache, leaves the law to the courts, and joins her in teaching others how to do the can-can.
Cole Porter’s celebrated score features the famous “Garden Of Eden Ballet,” along with several entrancing Cole Porter standards, including “C’est Magnifique,” “I Love Paris,” “It’s All Right With Me,” and the title number.