Possessed with a relentless drive to succeed, actress Jeanne Eagels (Kim Novak) pesters producer Sal Satori (Jeff Chandler) for more substantial roles before her voice coach, Nellie Neilson (Agnes Moorehead), helps her land a spot in a Broadway chorus line that catapults her to stardom. When aging actress Elsie Desmond asks her for help in reviving her career, Jeanne's selfishness drives the fading star to suicide. Yet, after Jeanne becomes involved in a highly publicized affair with John Donahue (Charles Drake), the strain brought on by the collapse of the ill-fated union jeopardizes her career, too. And despite Sal's best efforts, it is a lethal combination of drugs and alcohol that finally leaves Jeanne Eagels to die sad and alone.
