Based on a play by Irving Kaye Davis, a son of a wealthy man
discovers he is in love with his stepmother.
Doris Whitcomb (Miriam Seegar) takes Helen Weston (Anita Louise)
to Madame Julie's for a new dress that is enticing. Julie (Lila
Damita) married Doris's father John Whitcomb, but the dress shop
keeps her independent. Doris tells her father (O. P. Heggie) that
her brother Victor came back. John asks Julie to stop running
around. Julie fears that Victor hates her but has not met him.
Julie gets a call from Paul and says no, but he comes in despite
his promise not to see her. Paul (Lester Vail) says she does not
lover her husband, but Julie tells him to go. John waits for Victor.
Helen's parents arrive. Victor Whitcomb (Lester Vail) arrives
and is greeted by Doris. John lets Victor come to him. Helen and
her parents greet Victor. Julie is afraid to meet Victor and discovers
he is Paul. John persuades Victor to stay there. Victor says he
used the name Paul Niles on his expedition. Helen hopes to attract
Victor. Julie asks John why he married her, and he does not give
a reason. John tells his associates he wants Victor to replace
him, and he plans to buy a villa.
Victor asks Julie why she avoids him when she loves him, and he
says he loves her. At her shop Julie finds John waiting and says
she had lunch with Victor. John asks Julie to attend his dinner,
and she sings for the guests. Helen adores Victor, but he ignores
her and dances with Julie. Doris complains that Victor did not
dance with her. Doris tells Buddy (Lincoln Stedman) she will marry
him. Helen's mother gets Victor to dance with Helen and tells
Julie that Victor's mother hoped he would marry Helen. John tells
Julie he is going to Washington. Victor tells Julie he is going
to inform his father, but first John tells Victor he is giving
him his business and leaves. Doris realizes about Victor and Julie.
Doris writes a letter to her father and gives it to the butler
Barton (Halliwell Hobbes). Doris gets angry at Julie and leaves
with Buddy. Victor tells Doris he loves Julie, but her suspicion
is false. Victor asks Julie to go to sea with him, and she says
yes. Julie takes the letter from Barton and learns that John got
her clothes ready for a trip. John returns and tells Julie he
bought a villa near Paris because he loves her. Julie gives John
the letter from Doris, but he rips it up without opening it. He
asks Julie to travel with him, and she embraces him happily. John
tells Barton only two will be there for dinner.
This domestic triangle can result when an older man marries
a younger woman; but she has the choice to remain true to her
marriage or to follow her passion.