1930年代,为了调查铁路员工的出勤状况,举发铁路员工中的不良分子,欧文(罗伯特·雷德福饰)悄悄来到了密西西比小镇上,他和房东的女儿艾娃(娜塔丽·伍德饰)坠入情网;被解雇的铁路员工愤恨难消地围殴他,这使他们两人决定到新奥尔良重新生活;谁知女方的母亲从中作梗,迫使他们分离;女孩对人生感到疲惫不堪,竟沦落风尘。A railroad official, Owen Legate comes to Dodson, Mississippi to shut down much of the town's railway (town's main income). Owen unexpectedly finds love with Dodson's flirt and main attraction, Alva Starr. Alva and Owen then try to escape Alva's mother's (Hazel) clutches and the town's revenge.