A war veteran's life unravels after a greedy heist, forcing him to confront betrayal, tragedy, and violent consequences.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The War-Torn Return
Matt Jameson returns from Korea and settles into an unhappy marriage while developing feelings for his boss's secretary. His domestic stagnation sets the stage for external disruption.
Key Events
Returns from Korea — Matt returns home safely after combat injury. Characters: Matt JamesonLocation: California
Unhappy marriage life — Matt struggles with alcoholic wife Nina. Characters: Matt JamesonLocation: Home
Attraction to secretary — Matt develops feelings for boss's secretary. Characters: Matt JamesonLocation: Office
Vince arrives with offer — Marine friend presents risky financial scheme. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: California
Heist proposal discussed — Plan to intercept illegal weapons shipment formed. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: Safe location
Illegal weapons cargo — Smuggled arms targeted for interception. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: Central America
Marine combat past — Shared military history bonding the two men. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: Korea
The Dangerous Proposition
Vince Biskay arrives with a high-stakes plan to intercept a weapons shipment. The duo executes a violent airport heist, securing the cash but leaving Vince critically wounded.
Key Events
Heist proposal discussed — Plan to intercept illegal weapons shipment formed. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: Safe location
Airport gun battle — Thugs attack while Matt and Vince secure loot. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: San Francisco Airport
Vince gets shot — Vince sustains critical injury during escape. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: San Francisco Airport
Recovery at safe house — Matt shelters wounded Vince while he heals. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: Matt's Home
Nina makes advance — Drunken Nina attempts to seduce recovering Vince. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: Matt's Home
San Francisco airport — Primary combat zone for the weapons heist. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: San Francisco Airport
Matt's residential home — Safe house where tensions and accidents occur. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: Matt's Home
Three point five million — Cash loot driving the central conflict. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: San Francisco Airport
Illegal weapons cargo — Smuggled arms targeted for interception. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: Central America
Dictator's armed thugs — Hostile force protecting the stolen cargo. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: San Francisco Airport
Greed and Tragedy
Tensions explode at the safe house as Vince reveals his intent to steal the money. A fatal accident involving Nina forces Matt into a desperate cover-up, attracting violent retaliation.
Key Events
Nina makes advance — Drunken Nina attempts to seduce recovering Vince. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: Matt's Home
Vince wants to keep money — Vince reveals intent to steal the full amount. Characters: Matt Jameson, Vince BiskayLocation: Matt's Home
Nina dies in accident — Nina suffers fatal accident during chaotic night. Characters: Matt JamesonLocation: Matt's Home
Matt covers up death — Desperate Matt attempts to hide the tragedy. Characters: Matt JamesonLocation: Matt's Home
Thugs beat Matt — Dictator's men violently hunt for the cash. Characters: Matt JamesonLocation: Streets
Survival and Redemption
Matt endures a brutal beating from pursuing thugs while Vince meets his demise. Escaping the chaos, Matt finally embraces a stable future with Liz.
Key Events
Thugs beat Matt — Dictator's men violently hunt for the cash. Characters: Matt JamesonLocation: Streets
Vince meets grim end — Vince suffers fatal consequences from his greed. Characters: Vince BiskayLocation: Road
Matt survives ordeal — Matt escapes the violent pursuit alive. Characters: Matt JamesonLocation: Streets
Reunites with Liz — Matt finds peace and companionship with Liz. Characters: Matt Jameson, Liz AddamsLocation: City
Story Breakdown
Post-War Disillusionment — Matt struggles with domestic unhappiness and seeks emotional escape.
Korea Combat Injury — Matt returns home physically healed but emotionally detached.
Unhappy Marriage — Nina's alcoholism creates a stagnant and frustrating home life.
The Heist Proposition — Vince introduces a lucrative but dangerous criminal opportunity.
Vince Biskay Arrival — A former Marine comrade reappears with a risky financial scheme.
Weapons Shipment Target — The duo plans to intercept illegal arms and claim the bounty.
Airport Ambush — The heist execution turns violent as armed thugs intervene.
Gunfire Eruption — A chaotic shootout breaks out at the San Francisco airport.
Vince Wounded — Vince sustains a critical gunshot wound during the escape.
Safe House Tensions — Sheltering the wounded Vince exposes underlying greed and instability.
Money Greed Revealed — Vince confesses his plan to steal the entire cash haul.
Tragic Consequences — The pursuit of stolen wealth triggers fatal accidents and cover-ups.
Nina's Fatal Accident — Nina dies unexpectedly during the volatile safe house night.
Matt's Cover-up Attempt — Matt desperately tries to hide the death to avoid suspicion.
Violent Retaliation — The dictator's forces hunt down the money, leading to brutal confrontations.
Thugs Beat Matt — Matt is severely beaten by armed pursuers searching for the cash.
Vince Meets Demise — Vince suffers a fatal end as a direct result of his greed.
Final Resolution — Matt survives the ordeal and finds emotional stability with Liz.
Matt Survives Ordeal — Matt escapes the violent pursuit and reflects on his narrow survival.
Romance with Liz — Matt finally embraces a hopeful future alongside his secretary.
Helmed by Edmond O'Brien, this slick crime thriller stars Jeffrey Hunter as naïve Matt Jameson, whose Korean War pal Vince Biskay talks Matt into helping commandeer nearly $4 million from a Central American dictator. After Vince is wounded in a gun battle as they're making off with the loot, the duo holes up at Matt's house -- where his boozy, promiscuous wife puts the moves on Vince.
