Plot
Douglas Stratton (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) and Patricia “Pat” Mason (Loretta Young) have secretly married before the story begins, hiding their union from friends and family. At a celebration thrown in Doug’s honor, Pat is escorted home afterward by two ardent admirers—Rodney Hall (Ray Hallor) and Paul Palmer (Chester Morris), the son of the State Governor. Though both men are in love with her, Pat secretly signals Doug that she will return later to their apartment.
Later that night, as Doug and Pat prepare for bed, their private world is shattered when Rodney unexpectedly climbs in through the window. Startled, Pat and Doug admit to their secret marriage, but Rodney—jealous and intoxicated—refuses to believe them. Tension builds quickly as Rodney accuses them of deception and makes threatening insinuations.
A scuffle breaks out between the two men, but Rodney suddenly collapses, apparently ill. Doug rushes off to fetch a doctor, leaving Pat alone with the intruder. Once Doug is gone, Rodney reveals he was faking—he tries to forcefully drag Pat out, insisting she come home with him. Doug returns to this threatening scene and attacks Rodney. The two struggle out into the hallway. A gunshot rings out.
Doug re-enters the apartment, dazed and holding the pistol, but swears he didn’t pull the trigger. Still, unable to recall exactly what happened in the chaos, Doug is arrested and eventually convicted for Rodney’s death.
As Doug sits on death row, the situation intensifies. Governor Palmer (William Holden) grants two stays of execution but refuses a full pardon unless new evidence comes to light. In a dramatic twist, it is revealed that Paul Palmer—Doug’s supposed friend and the Governor’s son—was the real killer. Paul had hoped that with Doug out of the way, he could win Pat’s love for himself. But when Pat makes clear her unshakable devotion to Doug, Paul is overcome with guilt and finally confesses the truth.
Yet Warden Palmer (Frank Sheridan), Paul’s uncle, fears that revealing Paul’s crime would destroy the Governor’s career. Torn between duty and family, the Warden initially vows to stay silent, even if it costs Doug his life. But at the last second—just as Doug is being strapped into the electric chair—his conscience prevails. He halts the execution and orders Doug’s release.
In a final tragic turn, Paul, unable to face the shame or his father’s judgment, takes his own life at the Governor’s mansion. Doug and Pat, their love tested and proven, are finally reunited.
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