Since persecution and hatred have soared out of control, Heaven's "front office" sends Athanael (Jack Benny), a trumpet player in Heaven's orchestra, to Earth to play the first four notes of the "Judgment Day Overture." The notes must be played precisely at midnight from a hotel rooftop to initiate Earth's annihilation, but things become hilariously botched when Athanael is faced with the temptation of money and parties, saving a woman from suicide and having to protect his trumpet from "falling angels," gangsters and a group of young roughnecks, all intent on thwarting his mission.