Stanley Donen's film is a romantic comedy that plays on America's view of the British aristocracy. Cary Grant plays Earl Vincent Rhyall, Deborah Kerr his wife Lady Hilary. In order to maintain their crumbling stately home, they reluctantly open it to coach parties of American tourists, one of whom, Charles Delacro, falls for the lady of the manor who, feeling neglected, begins to return his advances.