| Director | John Frankenheimer |
|---|---|
| Budget | $800,000 |
The film follows a group of regulars at Harry Hope's bar and boarding house. All are satisfied with their present drunken state. Each are anticipating the arrival of a salesman named Hickey who has subsidized their pipe dreams, and each year celebrated owner Harry Hope's birthday. But when Hickey arrives, he proclaims their dreams the enemy and begins to preach a better, sober life in the name of friendship. At first the regulars reject their delusions, but in the end reject Hickey, who eventually admits he murdered his wife. After Hickey is taken away by the authorities, the regulars label him insane rather than deal with their own weaknesses and return to their previous lives.