The story opens in the Sennett Studios in 1932 where a retired Mack pays a visit to his old stomping ground. He is disturbed to find that the studios are being used for the production of "talkies", which sets him to reminiscing about the good old days. The show is set in flashbacks of Mack's recollections over a twenty year period from 1912 to 1932. Mack acts as our narrator, breaking off from his memoriesfrom time to time to share with us the occasional Sennett pearl of wisdom.

The recollections begin in the Brooklyn Studio, New York, where Mack has his first set, working on his silent "shorts". His life and studio are gatecrashed by one Mabel Normand, sandwich delivery girl, whose antics whilst simply trying to get paid for her delivery lead Mack and his backers Kleiman & Fox to believe that have found a new comedy talent.

The story takes us on a journey to Hollywood, from obscurity to stardom, with Mack and Mabel's romance developing against the backdrop of custard pies, Keystone Kops and Bathing Beauties. Will Mack be able to keep a hold of his talented star or will she be tempted away by sinister William Desmond Taylor's offer of serious roles when Mack just "wants to make the world laugh"?