Cynthia Karslake is a freewheeling divorcee in 1906 New York City society. She has decided to settle down again into a much more stable, reliable relationship with prominent Judge Philip Phillimore. Little does she know, however, that neither of their bombastic and blowsy ex-spouses, nor her beloved race horse Cynthia K is yet down for the count.
Set in 1906, The New York Idea follows Cynthia, a recently divorced woman who plans to remarry wealthy lawyer and fellow divorcee Philip. When Cynthia learns her ex-husband John has lost his fortune and plans to sell her prized horse to Philip’s ex-wife, the flamboyant Vida, she begrudgingly calls on Vida to try to convince her not to buy the animal. The group soon finds themselves tangled in arguments and banter on the day of John and Cynthia’s wedding, and it soon becomes apparent that past romantic feelings may have not completely disappeared.