The picture features Ida Lupino, Cornel Wilde, Celeste Holm and Richard Widmark.

[2] The drama tells the story of Lily Stevens (Lupino) who takes a job as a singer at a roadhouse—complete with a bowling alley.

When Lily rebuffs the owner Jefty (Widmark) in favor of his boyhood friend Pete Morgan (Wilde), problems begin.

Lupino sings the classic Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer song "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)" in the film.

The song "Again", written by Dorcas Cochran (words) and Lionel Newman (music), debuted in this film, and was also sung by her.

Although Pete tries to pay Lily off and put her on a train, she refuses to leave and makes a successful debut at the club, accompanying herself on piano.

After Susie states that the receipts totaled $2,600, Pete is held for trial and Lily accuses Jefty of framing him.

The judge announces that Pete will be on probation for two years, but will have his job back and will be obligated to repay Jefty from his paycheck.

Contemporary response lauded the increasingly honed talents of Richard Widmark as a "cinematically anti-social" actor with a specialty for psychotic villains, and noted Ida Lupino's on-screen singing debut with praise.

[4] Writer Spencer Selby calls the film an "interesting melodrama that has a crisp forties look and slowly builds to a noirish climax.