Tom Ballard is put in Bayview retirement home by his weak willed son Geoffrey and his domineering, drunk daughter-in-law Marion. Many of the residents are very passive but not retired journalist Diana Trent, whose mission in life it is to annoy 'the idiot Baines' - Harvey Baines,the home's manager. Initially she thinks Tom is rather dotty but when he tries to organize the residents into action against the home's poor food she knows she has found an ally.