The life of a Pennsylvania of Belgian extraction with a desire to excel in the art of dancing is portrayed in "Bolero." Raoul's existence depended entirely on his ambition, and he was so eager to reach the top that he fired his partners without feeling, and he deserted his night-club in Paris to enlist in the Belgian army in the World War as a publicity stunt. When the war was over, Raoul tried to start again, but his lungs were weak, and his partner was drunk on the opening night. Helen, a former partner of his who had left him when he confessed that joining-up was not an unselfish act, agrees to dance the Bolero with him so that the first night will not be unsuccessful. The dance thrills the Parisian elite, there are braves, and much hand-clapping. Raoul insists on changing for a skating number against the advice of his half-brother. While he is dressing, Helen says that she can not be his permanent partner, for she is very happy with her husband. She continues to talk, but Raoul does not answer. When she enters his dressing room, she finds him prostrate, and he expires gracefully.

George Raft and Carol Lombard were excellent in the dances, but were otherwise ineffective; both have a conspicuous failing, a vacuous expression in emotional scenes. The direction was satisfactory, and no opportunities were lost in obtaining very effective shots of the dances.