Based on Keith Winter's play, a dancer marries a man she likes;
but his sister objects, and his married brother falls in love
with her too.
On a plane David Linden (Robert Young) learns his brother Henry
is going to marry a dancer and goes to see Olivia Riley (Joan
Crawford) dance. Olivia likes Henry Linden (Melvyn Douglas) and
is not in love but agrees to marry him. At a party Roger (Allyn
Joslyn) warns Olivia not to wed Henry lest she fall in love again.
David objects to Henry marrying Olivia, who slaps him. Henry and
Olivia wed.
By a lake David's wife Judy (Margaret Sullavan) welcomes Olivia
and Henry. Olivia meets their sister Hannah Linden (Fay Bainter).
Judy and Olivia talk about the Lindens. Henry tries to soften
up hostile Hannah. David plays piano. While gardening, Olivia
meets trumpeter Bennie (Frank Albertson). Hannah drives Henry
to his plane for a trip. David tells Olivia he plays piano for
her, and they go riding. Olivia talks of Henry, and David gets
jealous. Hannah warns Judy to be jealous of Olivia. Hannah keeps
insulting Olivia. Henry and Olivia are having a house built nearby.
Henry asks David to fly Olivia to Milwaukee, but David declines.
David asks Olivia if she feels as he does; she says she plans
to stay married to Henry, who suspects that David is falling in
love with Olivia. Judy asks Olivia why she married Henry without
being in love. Olivia says she likes Henry. Judy admits that David
is not in love with her.
At an outdoor party Hannah tells Olivia that she is a disturbing
influence, and Olivia says she will be rude too. David dances
with Olivia, who walks off alone and is joined by tipsy Bennie,
who tries to embrace her; but she hits him. David makes Bennie
leave and kisses Olivia. Inside David looks for Olivia but talks
with Judy. Olivia tells Henry she wants to go away with him because
of Hannah, and they announce it. Hannah tells Henry not to go,
but he blames Hannah's hate. Olivia tells David that they are
spoiled. Judy walks in and kisses David before he goes. Judy tells
Olivia that two people may be made for each other. Judy tells
Olivia to go away with David and get a divorce. They learn the
new house is burning. Hannah smiles, and Henry says she set the
fire. Judy runs into the burning house, and Olivia goes in and
carries her out. Henry asks David about Olivia. David gets angry
at Hannah. Olivia tells David that Judy freed her of him, and
he doubts Judy will want him. David goes to recovering Judy, and
Olivia tells Henry she is leaving alone and Hannah that she was
right. Hannah tells Henry to make Olivia stay. Henry and Olivia
decide to go on a trip.
The hostility of a spinster sister makes a difficult situation
so much worse, and only after causing much suffering does she
realize she was wrong to interfere.