Capt. Fracasse, a down-on-his-luck nobleman, gives shelter at his estate one night to a troupe of traveling actors. He falls in love with Isabelle, an actress with the group. The next day, as they prepare to leave, he decides to join them, seeing as how his future looks none too promising where he is, but mainly to be with Isabelle. Along the way, however, Isabelle is kidnapped by a villainous nobleman who wants her for himself. Capt. Fracasse must ride to the rescue of his beloved.