Don't Bother to Knock

In the dimly lit lounge of the McKinley Hotel, sultry singer Lyn Lesley faces emotional turmoil after a devastating breakup with airline pilot Jed Towers. Pouring her heart out to the bartender, she reveals the pain caused by Jed’s cold farewell delivered through a letter.

Jed Towers unexpectedly checks into the hotel, his intense gaze searching for Lyn through the thick whiskey-tinged atmosphere. The tension between the former lovers ignites as they engage in a heated discussion about their tumultuous past and uncertain future.

In the twisting corridors of the hotel, elevator operator Eddie introduces his shy niece, Nell Forbes, to Peter and Ruth Jones, who are in need of a babysitter for their daughter, Bunny. This encounter acts as a bridge to Nell’s exploration of the adult world and her aspirations.

While the Jones couple heads off to a lavish banquet, Nell is captivated by the glamorous adult world, indulging in luxurious attire and jewelry. However, her enchantment is shattered by the unwelcome advances echoing from Jed, who disturbs her fragile self-confidence.

Despite her uncle Eddie’s warnings, Nell boldly invites Jed over for a drink while flaunting Ruth's borrowed laces. Their conversation creates a precarious bond, but as they sip whiskey, Jed’s discerning gaze reveals the truth behind Nell's extravagant tales.

As their emotional dance unfolds, the innocent presence of Bunny disrupts Nell and Jed, bringing tension to the moment. Nell wrestles with her feelings of attraction towards Jed while feeling protective of Bunny, complicating her role in this mix of emotions.

With the weight of her anxious thoughts about Lyn, Nell attempts to exert control over Bunny by sending her to bed with an icy demeanor. Yet, she is torn with desperation as she pleads for Jed to stay, revealing her vulnerability to him.

Eddie, horrified by Nell's appearance clothed in Ruth's attire, confronts her in a fit of anger. He strips her of her lipstick, sparking a volatile encounter where Nell retaliates by striking him with an ashtray, igniting a series of chaotic events.

As Jed attends to Eddie’s injury, Nell seizes the opportunity to manipulate the situation by hiding in Bunny’s room. The Ballews mistakenly perceive Jed as a threat, swirling the events into a chaotic mess driven by Nell's need to play the victim.

Amidst the chaos, Nell locks Eddie away, maneuvering expertly back to Bunny's room as she spirals closer to the edge of her sanity. She becomes convinced that Jed is a reincarnation of her deceased love, Philip, heightening her mental distress.

In the bar, Jed confides in Lyn about his growing concern for Nell's well-being. Their discussion evokes lingering feelings as they both come to terms with their past, unaware that their lives are about to intertwine again due to the unfolding crisis.

Eddie reveals alarming details about Nell's turbulent background, explaining her previous three-year stint in an institution following a suicide attempt. This truth unveils the depth of Nell's struggles, setting the stage for a desperate confrontation.

In a dramatic turn, Nell, overwhelmed by her spiraling emotions, clutches a razor blade and threatens her own life in full view of an anxious crowd. As tension builds, Lyn desperately tries to reach out to her in vain, amplifying the gravity of the situation.

When all seems lost, Jed steps forward with calm assurance and persuades Nell to put down the blade. His compassion not only impacts Nell’s fate but rekindles Lyn’s interest in him, hinting at a potential rekindling of their relationship amid the chaos.

As the authorities arrive to take away a vulnerable Nell, the emotional culmination of the events unfolds with Lyn and Jed reflecting on the fragility of life and their own complex feelings. This moment leaves lingering questions about their future and the scars left behind.