On Christmas Eve, down-on-his-luck ex-convict Nick Bianco (Mature) and his three cohorts rob a jewelry store. Before they can exit the building, however, the injured proprietor sets off his alarm. While attempting to escape, Nick assaults a policeman but is wounded and arrested. Assistant District Attorney Louis D'Angelo (Donlevy) tries to persuade Nick to name his accomplices in exchange for a light sentence. Confident that his partners in crime and his lawyer, Earl Howser, will look after his wife and two young daughters while he is incarcerated, Nick refuses and is given a 20-year sentence. Three years later, at Sing Sing Prison, after his wife does not write for 3 months, Nick discovers that she has committed suicide.... Directed by Henry Hathaway Produced by Fred Kohlmar Screenplay by Ben Hecht Charles Lederer Story by Eleazar Lipsky Starring Victor Mature Brian Donlevy Coleen Gray Richard Widmark Narrated by Coleen Gray Music by David Buttolph Cinematography Norbert Brodine Edited by J. Watson Webb Jr.