Ernest Gifford, Clifton Webb, the owner of Gifford Motors, faces the loss of a general manager and chooses to test three candidate couples in New York City, hoping to observe how they behave under pressure and what they might bring to the job both personally and professionally.
Bill Baxter, Cornel Wilde, and his wife Katie Baxter, June Allyson, are a loving pair from Kansas City who appear steady and devoted, providing a solid counterpoint to the other two couples. Elizabeth Burns, Lauren Bacall, is increasingly distant from her driven husband Sidney Burns, Fred MacMurray, as his work consumes him and threatens his health; she fears that a promotion could push him past a breaking point even as she clings to hope for a healthier balance. Jerry Talbot, Van Heflin, rounds out the trio with his own wife, the glamorous and ambitious Carol Talbot, Arlene Dahl, who is never shy about shaping how others see her life.
As the weekend unfolds, Katie comes across as endearingly clumsy—physically and socially—while Elizabeth presents herself with poise and generosity. Despite their differences, Elizabeth and Katie form a courteous rapport, and Elizabeth even lends a hand to Katie on a limited budget to help her select appropriate clothing for the weekend. The setting—an elegant estate owned by Gifford’s sister, Mrs. Evelyn Andrews, Margalo Gillmore—becomes a backdrop for subtle tests of character as the couples navigate etiquette, affection, and ambition.
Carol does her best to “help” her husband by flirting with Gifford at every opportunity, ignoring Jerry’s protests that she back off. The dynamic quickly makes it clear to Gifford that the strongest candidate and the most suitable wife are not necessarily paired together in marriage. He announces that he will reveal his decision after dinner, and the tension rises as Carol makes one last bold bid to influence the outcome.
In the climactic moment, Carol learns that Jerry is Gifford’s favorite, but he will not secure the job because of a fatal handicap. Faced with the truth about his wife’s manipulations and the real merits behind the potential promotion, Jerry confronts Carol and declares that their marriage is finished, telling her to pack and leave. Gifford, observing the consequences of the test, is quietly pleased; he had hoped that Jerry would recognize his wife for what she truly was. The decision to elevate Jerry — on his own merits rather than through influence — signals a shift that satisfies Gifford’s underlying criteria.
With the crucial test behind them, Gifford congratulates the new general manager, acknowledging the qualities that earned the appointment. The remaining couples breathe a collective sigh of relief, reassured that the process was fair and that the right balance of character and competence has emerged. The weekend, framed by wit, tension, and a nuanced look at marriage, work, and integrity, leaves the characters with a clearer sense of where they stand and what they truly value moving forward.
