Dorsey, who is fine actor but an irreproachable perfectionist, can hardly make ends meet; the best he can do for his wallet is take on a couple of jobs as a part-time drama coach and a part-time waiter. But when, with the help of a few accessories (including rouge and a padded bra) he transforms himself into Dorothy Michaels, everything changes. Dorothy lands a hot job on a soap opera, monopolizes the covers of glossy magazines, and wins thousands of adoring fans. But when he falls head-over-heels for his co-star Julie (Jessica Lange), he's got a real problem: How can he tell Julie he loves her when she thinks he's a she? Michael, desperate to relinquish his disguise, proceeds as a she and endures a battle with his agent, played by Pollack, who refuses to end his contract with the soap; a fight with his best friend, who is a woman; unwanted sexual advances from a fellow soap actor; and sweet affections from Julie's father.