William Holden stars in this adaption of William Inge's Pulitzer Prize winning play. Restless drifter Hal Carter (Holden) arrives in a small town in Kansas, hoping to find employment with his old college friend Alan's (Cliff Robertson) father. He is welcomed with open arms, but trouble arises when he meets Alan's girlfriend Madge (Kim Novak) and the couple fall in love. Soon, the whole of the town is being affected by Hal's anarchic influence, as violence and jealousy threaten to erupt. Kim Novak made her screen debut with this film, which was nominated for numerous Oscars.