Penthouse

Attorney Jack Durant defends racketeer Tony Gaziotti against a high-profile murder charge and waives his fee. His success draws disapproval from his staid law firm, which believes the case sullies their reputation. Jack refuses to abandon this exciting new line of work, and the firm parts ways with him, foreshadowing trouble in his career and personal life.

At a raucous party, Mimi Montagne is found dead after a talk with Tom Siddall on a balcony. A revolver is found in Tom's hand and a pawnbroker claims he sold the gun the same day. The incident triggers Tom's arrest and Sue's plea to defend him.

Despite the charges and threats, Sue urges Jack to defend Tom. An anonymous phone call warns Jack to stay out of it, raising immediate danger. Jack nevertheless agrees to take the case.

Tony introduces Jack to Mimi's friend Gertie Waxted, hoping she can provide information. Gertie suggests she spent the night in Jack's suite and is surprised when Jack sleeps on the couch rather than with her. The encounter plants seeds for later romantic tension.

In the morning, Sue asks Jack to drop the case after receiving a life-threatening call. Gertie appears in his robe, causing Sue to depart with mixed emotions while Gertie asserts that Jack is still in love with her. Jack apologizes, acknowledging his feelings for Gertie.

Jack questions the pawnbroker without success, trying to corner the motive. Shortly after, Levitoff is murdered, adding urgency to the investigation. The murder strengthens the idea that the killer is connected to Mimi's circle.

Crelliman unexpectedly appears and offers Jack $200,000 to take a long vacation, attempting to buy his silence. Jack refuses, and Crelliman threatens him with consequences. The confrontation intensifies the danger surrounding Jack.

Jack breaks into the apartment above Gertie's to inspect the crime scene and learns that Murtoch, one of Crelliman's gunmen, owns it. From the entry and exit wounds on Mimi's body, he deduces the killer was positioned higher up. The angle from Murtoch's window aligns with the murder scene.

An elevator operator warns Jim Crelliman's men are waiting in the lobby, alerting Jack to imminent danger. Jim evades capture as he moves through the building toward a safer route. The warning foreshadows the climactic confrontation.

Jack spots Gertie in a club with Murtoch, jumping to conclusions about her loyalty. After she clarifies the situation, Jack apologizes and confesses he has fallen in love with her. He asks Gertie to marry him, signaling a shift toward personal commitments amid danger.

With Tony's help, Jack traps Murtoch into confessing; they plan to frame Murtoch for Crelliman's impending murder. Gertie volunteers to lure Crelliman out onto a roof as part of the ruse. The plan tightens the net around the gang.

Gertie reveals that she frightened Jack into accepting Crelliman's offer, but Crelliman doesn't believe her and orders her to be taken away. Gunfire erupts; Crelliman and his henchmen are slain. Tony dies in the adjacent room after saving Gertie.

In the aftermath, Gertie packs to leave, assuming Jack will reunite with Sue. Jack declares his desire to marry Gertie and take her to Europe, but she says she is no lady, and he answers she will do until someone better comes along. The ending leaves their relationship in a tentative but committed state.