Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway
In New Rochelle, New York, the passing of Old Man Castleton, a miserly millionaire, starts a rumor around the town that in his will, he left everything to his maid servant, Mary Jane Jenkins. The townsfolk gather at the Castleton mansion to search for the will, but none can be found. By default, without the will, the estate will go to Castleton's nephew, Tom Bennett. Bennett announces that when his actress fiancée Flora Dora Dean arrives, they will marry ("Gentlemen of the Press"). He further explains that he what he really wants is to become rich (“I Want to Be a Popular Millionaire"). With Bennett is his secretary, Kid Burns, a wise-guy who quickly alienates himself from the townsfolk. Mary discovers that Burns's mother and she share the same name ("Mary’s a Grand Old Name"). Burns becomes enamored of Mary and asks her out for a night on the town. However, he worries that a night in New Rochelle might not be as enticing as a night in Manhattan ("Forty-Five Minutes from Broadway"). Burns finds Castleton's will and gives it to Mary, who suspects that he might only love her for her money. Upon hearing this, Burns declares that he will marry her without Castleton's money. Mary tears up the will; and she and Burns take the train to Manhattan. The townsfolk of New Rochelle bid them good-bye ("So Long, Mary").