Michael O'Brien (Donald Woods) lives in Paradise Valley, an isolated town where the sole entrance is controlled by the greedy and violent Juan Mendoza (Anthony Warde). When Mendoza announces his intention to marry Maria (Gloria Warren), the fact that she's O'Brien's girlfriend doesn't stop him. While O'Brien tries to find a way to get help from Gov. Fernando (Monte Blue), a newly discovered gold mine quickly becomes an opportunity for Mendoza to assert his control over the town.