Tough-guy Tommy Connors (Spencer Tracy) is sentenced to five to thirty years in Sing Sing. He receives word while in stir that his girlfriend, Fay Wilson (Bette Davis), has been injured and is probably going to die. The tough-but-compassionate warden (Arthur Byron) agrees to let Tommy out for one day to go see Fay if he promises to come back at night. Is it wise  to let Tommy out on his honor? Does he even have any honor?