British adaptation by compton bennett of the celebrated play by monckton hoffe. Starring eric portman, maxwell reed and ann todd. Barber and part time hangman eddie romances waif frankie after meeting her in a london pub. When eddie inherits his father's barge business, the pair marry and set up home together. Eddie employs scandinavian seaman olaf to help him run the barges, but frankie falls for him. When it seems that eddie is dead, olaf is arrested for his murder.