Reformed ex-con Steve Lacey (Gene Nelson) has built an honest life with his devoted wife, Ellen (Phyllis Kirk). But that fragile American dream shatters one night when a wounded former cellmate crashes into his home after a deadly gas-station holdup. Lacey is terrorized by a pair of escaped San Quentin thugs who extort his help for a high-stakes bank heist. On their trail is the cynical Detective Lt. Sims (Sterling Hayden), who's more than willing to use the terrified newlyweds as bait.