Three Strangers

On Chinese New Year 1938, Crystal Shackleford lures two strangers, Jerome K. Arbutny and Johnny West, to her London flat. The trio agree to pool money for a Grand National sweepstakes ticket, with the understanding they will not sell it if drawn and will hold onto it until the race is run. Their plan is framed around a belief that three strangers making the same wish to the idol Kwan Yin can make their dreams come true.

David Shackleford, Crystal's husband, returns from Canada and demands a divorce after falling in love with Janet Elliott. Crystal refuses the divorce and works to undermine his life, even causing him to lose a promotion. His return threatens Crystal's carefully laid plans.

Crystal lies to Janet, telling her that David still loves her and that Janet is pregnant. Trusting Crystal, Janet decides to return to Canada, believing she has been betrayed by David.

Johnny West has been hiding after a drunken botched robbery that left a policeman dead. Icey Crane commits perjury to provide an alibi for Bertram Fallon, the robbery's ringleader. When a second witness is discredited, Fallon confesses to the robbery but blames Johnny and Gabby for the murder as well.

Johnny is eventually caught and sentenced to death for the crime. Gabby stabs Fallon on the way to prison, and Fallon dies in a railway carriage, his dying confession effectively clearing Johnny of the murder.

Arbutny wagers funds from Lady Rhea Belladon on stocks, hoping to cover his theft. The stock falls and his margin is called, and Belladon declines his plea. After consulting with her dead husband, she refuses again, and Arbutny spots in the newspaper that their sweepstakes ticket has been drawn.

The three converge again on Crystal's flat to decide what to do with the ticket. Arbutny wants to sell his share immediately to replace the funds he stole; Johnny is willing, but Crystal insists they honor their original agreement. Tensions rise as the future of the ticket hangs in the balance.

In a fit of rage, Arbutny strikes Crystal with her statue of Kwan Yin, killing her. Ironically, the radio soon announces that the Grand National winner has been declared, heightening the sense of treachery and fate. The trio realizes their plan has spiraled beyond control.

Johnny reminds Arbutny that destroying the winning ticket would remove any motive for Crystal's murder. They leave the flat, but Arbutny panics, stops traffic in the busy street, and confesses the murder before a crowd and a policeman. The confession draws law enforcement closer to the trio.

David Shackleford arrives intending to shoot Crystal’s estranged wife but discovers she is already dead and leaves the scene shaken. His appearance underscores the increasing danger surrounding Crystal's circle and the doomed nature of their scheme.

Johnny returns to the pub, where Icey Crane finds him. Content with having her, he sets the winning ticket on fire, erasing the last trace of the crime and his potential future tied to the sweepstakes.