Ray Charles plays himself in this film where he helps blind boy David in his struggle to regain his sight. David’s over-protective mother Peggy is afraid of the risks connected with restoring his sight. Ray tries to help the whole family, offering the heavy-drinking Peggy’s heavy-drinking partner Steve an opportunity to work with his band.

When he hears that the girl next door is getting married, Newt goes AWOL from the Army and hitch-hikes home to convince her to marry him.