Only the leader of a firefighter unit survives a forest fire and is accused of saving himself at his men's expense. After his recovery he goes out again this time to prove everyone wrong.

A family auto-racing team, father and two sons, intent upon proving that their American vehicle is the superior to any foreign job. The trio enters an important Italian road competition. A press agent upsets things, when she can't choose between brothers.

During the time of the great Chicago fire, the two O'Leary brothers become bitter political and romantic rivals for the beautiful stage actress, one brother is a notorious gambler and the other a pious reformer. After Mrs. O'Leary's cow knocks over the fabled lantern, we are treated to generous stock footage from In Old Chicago's climatic conclusion.