| Director | Robert Z. Leonard |
|---|---|
| Genre | crime film, drama film, film noir |
| Runtime | 98 min |
| Country | United States |
| Budget | $2 million |
| Box office | $2.5 million |
In Washington D.C., federal agent Rigby is briefed on a racketeering ring that has been selling and retrofitting war surplus aircraft motors for profit, off the coast of Central America. The government suspects Tugwell 'Tug' Hintten and his wife Elizabeth are part of the racket. Tasked to recover the motors and raid their headquarters, Rigby travels to Los Trancos on the island of Carlotta, posing as a sportsman. There, he arrives at a nightclub where Elizabeth sings. After she performs, Rigby enters her dressing room and shares drinks with her and Tugwell, who passes out after a night of drinking.
Over a few days, Rigby and Elizabeth begin a flirtatious romance. Rigby arrives at a bar where J.J. Bealer offers him $10,000 to leave the island, but Rigby declines. Rigby also suspects Carwood of being affiliated with Bealer. Regardless, he and Carwood venture on a fishing expedition the next day. Rigby catches a large fish, but the expedition turns deadly when their friend Emilio is killed by a shark. Rigby notifies Emilio's father Pablo, who confirms Rigby's suspicions that Carwood is involved and wants his son's killers brought to justice.
The same night, Elizabeth meets with Rigby and confesses her intentions to divorce Tugwell. However, she learns that her husband has fallen ill. Rigby, in love with Elizabeth, becomes torn in his investigative duties and wanting to protect her from prosecution, while declining Bealer's bribes. After an unsuccessful attempt to locate the headquarters, Bealer shows Rigby his X-ray photos confirming Elizabeth's involvement in the racket. Later on, Bealer tells Elizabeth that Rigby is a federal agent and schemes to drug him so they can leave the island with the money.
Elizabeth drugs Rigby's cocktail and he loses consciousness but she immediately feels remorse. Meanwhile, Carwood suffocates Tugwell for talking too much. Back in his hotel room, Rigby recovers and meets with Elizabeth at the nightclub. Backstage, he defuses a confrontation with Bealer, who states Carwood had murdered Tugwell. Rigby arranges with Bealer to have Carwood brought in to be arrested. When Bealer complies, a gunfight between Rigby and Carwood ensues. Carwood escapes and runs into a carnival parade, where he is fatally shot. Rigby returns to the hotel and kisses Elizabeth.