Laurie (Shirley Jones) lives on a ranch in Oklahoma territory with her Aunt Eller (Charlotte Greenwood). They have two ranch hands to help them: Curly (Gordon McRae) and the terrifying Jud Fry. Although she continues to be coy about it, Laurie really likes Curly. She fixes her basket for the box social hoping she'll get to eat the lunch with Curly. However, Curly finds himself bidding against Jud Fry for Laurie's basket. Curly bids everything he owns to try and win her. During the dance that follows the farmers and the cowhands have a ruckus, both of them complaining about the lifestyle of the other group. They all know that Oklahoma will soon become a state, and they all want it their own way. Fortunately, Aunt Eller takes command and calms everyone down. Laurie finally admits that she loves Curly, and the two get married. That night their friends have a shivaree for them. While the shivaree was meant to be all in fun, it turns deadly when Jud accosts Curly with a knife.