角色之间的化学反应强烈，无论是搭档的默契还是对手的火花，都让互动场面精彩纷呈。WalterWilliams(BrianDonlevy)isatake-chargecaptainofindustrywhohasworkedhiswayupinaSanFranciscosteelcompanyfromapositionasasheetmetalworker.HeloveshiswifeIrene(HelenWalker)verymuchandtheyhaveplannedavacationdrivetogether.Irenecancelsatthelastminuteclaimingatoothache,butasksthatWalterdrivehercousinJimTorrance(TonyBarrett)asfarasIllinois.WalteragreesandheandJimtakeofftogetherbutlaterJimknocksWalterunconsciousandtakesthecaronlytobehithimselfbyatruckandkilled,hisbodyburnedbeyondrecognition.WaltercomestoandsufferingaconcussionanddeepconfusionfromfeelingbetrayedbyIrenehidesoutinasmallMidwesttownuntilguiltandpeerpressureforcehimtogobacktoSanFranciscoandtellhisstorytothePolice.ButbythetimeWalterreturnstoSanFranciscoacleverdetectiveLieutenantQuincy(CharlesCoburn)hasuncoveredsomefactsaboutIreneandhercousin'Jim.ThepolicehavebeenholdingIreneforthemurderofherhusbandWalterbutreleaseherconsideringthatWalterwashidingoutbecausehehadkilledJim.AlongthewaytouncoveringthetruthinCourtWalterrealizessomehardfactaboutwhatheholdsvaluableandthetrusthehasputinthosearoundhim.