Elmer Rice adapted his own play about tenement neighbors who
gossip about a married woman seeing another man.
On the steps and from the windows Emma Jones (Beulah Bondi) and
other residents of a tenement complain of the heat and gossip
about Steve Sankey (Russell Hopton) and Mrs. Maurrant (Estelle
Taylor). Alice Simpson says that the Hildebrands are being evicted
but went to the movies with money that she gave them; Italian
Filippo Fiorentino (George Humbert) gives them $2. Socialist Abe
Kaplan (Max Montor) speaks from a window, but Frank Maurrant (David
Landau) dislikes foreigners and revolutionaries. Filippo dances
with Mrs. Maurrant. Willie Maurrant (Lambert Rogers) comes home
crying. Frank asks where his daughter Rose is. Easter brings Rose
Maurrant (Sylvia Sidney) home in a taxi and kisses her against
her will. He is married but asks Rose to get an apartment. Rose
tells her father that Easter is her boss. A fellow drinks with
Mae Jones (Greta Granstedt). Vincent Jones (Matt McHugh) tries
to embrace Rose and bullies timid Sam Kaplan (William Collier
Jr.). Rose asks Sam to say a poem and kisses him.
The next morning Dan Buchanan says the baby was born. Sam's mother
reminds him that Rose is not a Jew, and Emma Jones warns Rose
about Sam's family. Jealous Frank tells his wife to stay home,
but Rose asks him to be nice to her mother. Mrs. Maurrant bought
a chicken to make soup for the Buchanans. School-teacher Shirley
Kaplan (Ann Kostant) tells Rose that Sam can't marry for years
if he wants to go to law school. Rose asks Sam to run away with
her. Easter comes to take Rose to a funeral at a synagogue. Mrs.
Maurrant calls Steve to come in. Two men arrive to evict the Hildebrands.
Frank comes home unexpectedly and shoots Steve. Frank comes out
with a gun and goes downstairs. A crowd gathers as an ambulance
arrives to treat Mrs. Maurrant; but Steve is dead. Rose asks Sam
what happened and sees her mother carried out to the ambulance.
A comedian policeman says that Frank has not been caught. Emma
Jones says he had a reason. Easter offers to help Rose, who must
care for Willie.
Police capture Frank, who tells Rose that he was drinking. Shirley
asks Rose about the chicken and takes it to Buchanan. Sam tells
Rose he will go with her. She says no now so they can get started
first. They kiss, and he goes in. Shirley packed Rose's bag, and
they say good-bye.
In this slice of city life a variety of characters interact
with their different values. What seems like just talk turns out
to affect people's lives with serious consequences.