The storyline isn't particularly groundbreaking, that's for sure. A wealthy, recently widowed oil magnate named Jasper (Ian Keith) has two children who are clearly living off his fortune. Kyle (Robert Stack) is a hopeless drunkard, while Marylee (Dorothy Malone) leads a life of questionable morality. The son’s closest friend is the company geologist Mitch (Rock Hudson), and together they encounter Lucy (Lauren Bacall). Both men are immediately drawn to her; after some pretty blatant advances from Kyle, it seems likely she'll pick Mitch. However, for reasons that aren't entirely clear, she finds herself attracted to what she believes is a hidden sensitivity beneath his drinking problem and alcohol-fueled persona, ultimately agreeing to marry him. You’d think that would resolve things, but Mitch can’t stop thinking about her, Marylee becomes obsessed with Mitch, and Lucy gradually realizes she might have made the wrong choice! With unpleasantness radiating from everyone involved, a gunshot occurs, leading to a trial—but will the truth surface, or will the bitterness continue? Hudson delivers an adequate performance, as does Bacall, but Stack truly shines, portraying his alcoholism’s all-consuming power. Malone, despite having less screen time directed by Douglas Sirk, effectively conveys her character's intense jealousy. It’s a superb melodrama examining greed, envy, boredom, and even some desire from four actors who interact well with each other. The writing is also quite good, balancing harsh dialogue with occasional moments of kindness—usually provided by Bacall—and the film concludes where it began, leaving a sense of underlying mystery for much of its running time. It shares similarities with Tennessee Williams’s “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and serves as a stark reminder of how destructive alcohol can be.

Source on TMDB