Oily relationships complicate life in Texas high society when poor but sexy Mitch Wayne (Rock Hudson) finds his best friend, the super rich Kyle Hadley (Robert Stack) has problems with his wife Lucy (Lauren Bacall). She seemed to have married the wrong man, as Mitch has pined for her. Kyle may have taken what Mitch wanted out of jealousy, but his drinking indicates there is deeper frustration. Kyle’s loose sister, Marylee (Dorothy Malone) also wants Mitch who is unattainable and, out of jealousy, tells her brother that Mitch is the father when Lucy is pregnant. Worse yet, Kyle, after being soaked in alcohol, begins to realize his own designs on Mitch may indicate a deeper problem.