In a Harlem flat, Ethel (Ethel Waters) works night and day, feeding and cleaning up after her loafter of a husband and his exceedingly numerous useless relatives who've taken over the place without ever helping, treating her as their personal maid.

"Bubbling Over" (1934) is a short "soundie," such as were the music videos of their day. Many a soundie featured all-black casts, with slim stories concocted, on which to hang a number of songs.