Human Desire

Korean War veteran Jeff Warren returns to his town and resumes his job driving streamliners for the Central National railroad. He had worked with Alec Simmons and had boarded at Alec's home before going off to war. Jeff settles back into the rhythm of railroad duties as old memories and obligations reemerge.

Ellen, Alec's daughter, is smitten with Jeff, signaling a potential romance. Jeff had an affair with Vicki, who is married to Carl Buckley. These tangled affections foreshadow the conflict to come.

Carl Buckley is fired from his yard supervisor job after talking back to his boss. He begs Vicki to visit John Owens, a powerful railroad customer whose favor could help him get rehired.

Vicki reluctantly agrees to visit Owens, hoping his influence will help Carl. Carl grows suspicious when she is away for hours, fearing she has an affair.

In a heated argument, Carl threatens to kill Vicki unless she admits to an affair with Owens. Terrified, she confesses, and Carl forces her to write a letter to Owens, arranging a late-night meeting in Owens's sleeping car drawing room.

Carl and Vicki barge into Owens's sleeping room and Carl kills him with a knife. Carl takes Owens's wallet, pocket watch, and the incriminating letter to frame the murder as robbery, then sees Jeff on the train and uses Vicki to distract him so he can slip away. The murder creates a cover story that helps Carl avoid suspicion.

At the murder inquest, Jeff and other passengers testify, and Jeff denies having seen anything suspicious. Vicki and Jeff resume their relationship, and she lies about the night, claiming she visited Owens for a liaison. Jeff questions why she seemed unfazed.

Ellen buys Jeff a ticket to an upcoming dance and hopes he will invite her. Jeff tells Vicki that he wants to marry her and urges her to leave Carl. Vicki reveals the truth about Owens's murder and the letter, but Jeff remains determined to stay with her.

Carl has become a drunk and has again lost his job. Vicki tells Jeff that Carl is selling the house and forcing her to leave town with him. She cannot find the murder letter and fears Carl still has it, hinting that things would be easier with him out of the way.

Jeff, clutching a large monkey wrench, follows a drunken Carl in a railyard as a passing train blocks their view. He tells Vicki that he could not murder Carl and accuses her of setting him up to kill Carl.

Jeff hands Vicki the letter, which he took from Carl's pocket, and leaves after their argument. On the next train, Carl confronts Vicki, accusing her of leaving with Jeff. She admits she loves Jeff and had asked him to kill Carl, but reveals that Jeff rejected her.

Carl confronts Vicki on her train and strangles her, killing her. The murder ends the affair and leaves Jeff to confront his guilt and loyalty.

Jeff operates the train alongside Alec and reflects on the dance ticket he bought from Ellen. He remains connected to Ellen and Alec as the town carries memories of the earlier life.