Joe Norson (Granger) lives with his in-laws in New York City after losing his gas station and has found work as a part-time mail carrier. Because he wants the best for his expectant wife Ellen (O'Donnell), Joe rationalizes stealing what he thinks is $200 from a lawyer's office on his route. He discovers that he's actually stolen $30,000 from Victor Backett (Edmund Ryan), a corrupt attorney. Backett has framed wealthy broker-patsy Emil Lorrison (Paul Harvey (actor)) in a sex scandal, then extortion the money from him with the help of Lucille "Lucky" Colner (Adele Jergens) and convict accomplice Georgie Garsell (James Craig (actor)).