Heironymus Merkin is an internationally successful singer approaching middle age who retells his life story in a series of production numbers on a seashore in front of his two toddlers and aged mother. Merkin's promiscuous relationships with women are explored, particularly Polyester Poontang and the adolescent Mercy Humppe. Merkin is constantly surrounded by a Satan-like procurer, Goodtime Eddie Filth, and an angelic 'Presence' who interrupts Merkin's biography with cryptic Borscht Belt-level jokes to denote births and deaths in Merkin's life. Newley periodically steps out of character to complain about his 'Merkin' role with an unseen director, two screenwriters, the film's producers and a trio of blasé movie critics who are turned off by the story's eroticism and lack of plot.
as Heironymous Merkin
as Polyester Poontang
as Uncle Limelight
as Goodtime Eddie Filth
as Fat Writer
as The Presence
as Mercy Humppe
as Thaxted
as Thumbelina
as Grandma
as Skinny Writer
as Producer Peter
as Producer Ron
as Filigree Fondle
as Little Assistance
as Trampolena Whambang
as Salesgirl
as Critic Bentley
as Critic Bentley
as Critic Sharpnose
as Red Cardinal
as Philip Bluster
as Icicle Ike
as Automation Bunny
as The Mask
as Oat-O-Rinos Girl
as Car Salesman
as Fran
as The Prompter (uncredited)
as Insurance Agent
as Toothpaste Mother
as Harriet
as Floor Wax Housewife
as Liz Harper
