Donald Middleton (Joel McCrea), a small-town doctor and researcher, works unceasingly on experiments with his devoted nurse, though he does love his wife, Elsa (Rosemary Ames), and little daughter, Molly (Shirley Temple). Convinced that his work will allow him to fulfill his dream of studying in Europe, Don grows so obsessed that he pushes the depressed Elsa into the arms of a charming playboy, and Molly becomes convinced that it would be better for everyone if she ran away.