Christabel Caine has the face of angel and the heart of a swamp rat. She'll step on anyone to get what she wants, including her own family. A master of manipulation, she covertly breaks off the engagement of her trusting cousin, Donna, to her fabulously wealthy beau, Curtis Carey. Once married to Curtis herself, Christabel continues her affair with novelist Nick Bradley, who knows she's evil, but loves her anyway.

Joan Fontaine
as Christabel

Robert Ryan
as Nick

Zachary Scott
as Curtis

Joan Leslie
as Donna

Mel Ferrer
as Gobby

Harold Vermilyea
as John Caine

Virginia Farmer
as Aunt Clara

Kathleen Howard
as Mrs. Bolton

Dick Ryan
as Arthur

Bess Flowers
as Mrs. Worthington