Keep Trying

Set against the rhythmic, industrial backdrop of a railroad baggage station, Keep Trying follows Cliff, a lowly handler whose social standing is as modest as his paycheck. His heart, however, is set on Zelma, the daughter of the station agent—a man who views Cliff’s romantic aspirations with a mixture of disdain and hostility. Desperate to bridge the gap between his reality and his desires, Cliff turns to a 'How to Make Love' manual, attempting to apply rigid, scripted courtship rules to the chaotic reality of his working-class life. When a traveling theater troupe arrives in town and finds themselves short of performers, Cliff and Zelma see a chance for escape and transformation. They join the act, leading to a disastrous but illuminating performance that ultimately proves that genuine connection doesn't require a guidebook, even if the show itself is a total collapse.