A Southern Yankee

Red Skelton plays Aubrey Filmore, a feather-brained but lovable bellboy who dreams of becoming an agent for the Union's secret service during the Civil War. He gets his chance when he inadvertently causes the capture of a notorious Confederate spy known as "The Grey Spider" and adopts the spy's identity. The plot thickens when Aubrey meets the beautiful Confederate agent Sallyann Weatharby (Arlene Dahl) and falls in love with her. He is then forced to carry on the masquerade by posing as The Grey Spider and conveying false maps and instructions to deceive the Confederate forces when they plan their strategy at an upcoming battle.

A loveable bellboy who dreams of becoming an agent for the Union Force's Secret Service during the Civil War, finally gets his chance by posing as a notorious confederate spy and then falls in love with a beautiful southern agent who doesn't know his true identity.