Academy Award-Winner Humphrey Bogart (1952 Best Actor in a Leading Role The African Queen) stars as Dixon Steele a screenwriter who is faced with the odious task of scripting a trashy best-seller. He enlists hat-check girl Mildred Atkinson to tell him the story in her own words. Later that night Mildred is murdered & Steele is a prime suspect; his record of belligerence when angry & his macabre sense of humour implicate him. Fortunately lovely neighbour Laurel Gray (Gloria Grahame) gives him an alibi. Laurel proves to be just what Steele needed & their friendship ripens into love. Will suspicion doubt & Steele's inner demons come between them?