Miriam Hopkins plays the part Mary Burns a young woman who owns a coffee shop falls for a handsome young customer, Don Mason unaware that he is a gangster. On the run from the police his partner ends up injured in Mary’s café and threatens to squeal if Don leaves him behind so Don kills him in front of the distressed Mary. Don leaves and Mary is arrested for her association with Don and sentenced to a long prison term. However, the authorities set up her escape with her cellmate Goldie, hoping that she will lead them to her Mason.

Henry Fonda plays the hero Alec MacDonald, and Mary Astor plays Goldie and Paul Gilfoyle as Don Mason.