A small town druggist kills a wanton woman in a moment of weakness, and remains silent while a town hooligan takes the rap. But bad conscience goads him into trying to get the hooligan off the hook while keeping his own secret. So how will things turn out.
There's some irony in the end as George (Jagger) appears thrust into punishing himself. However, the screenplay seems unsure at times where it's headed. Also, I have to agree with reviewer HEFILM that the strangling scene is very poorly staged and clouds the remainder. Plus, movie vet Betty Field goes over the top as George's shrewish wife. Note how that first scene sets up George's moment of weakness by making his wife a snoring lump. No wonder he's tempted by the seductive Lola (? —I had trouble keeping the cuties' names straight). Also, old pro Jagger does a fine job in a difficult role, as he keeps the twists and turns from flying off into the land of the over-stretched. All in all, the 60-minutes remains an uneven entry, one that also exploits familiar stereotypes. Again the American South is portrayed as a locus of bad grammar, wanton behavior, and violent small towns.