A businessman's desire to protect his corrupt son's fortune leads to tragedy.
Londoners Arnold and Evelyn Boult had high hopes for their son Edward's life; his relatively-short life was one of privilege and irresponsibility. It ended at age twenty-three when he was killed in battle in World War II. Arnold recounts pivotal moments in his son's life, such as a serious medical issue at age five, near-expulsion from a prestigious private school at age twelve, and impregnating a girl he had no intention of marrying at age twenty, and the extreme measures Arnold took to protect his son's name. But other things Arnold did throughout Edward's life, like having an extramarital affair, show that he acted more for his own happiness and standing in the community, which eventually included being dubbed a Lord. His actions have dire consequences for many, including Evelyn, who begins to hate her husband and sadly admits that she never really understood or knew her son. But after Edward's death, old family friend Dr. Larry Woodhope does his small part to ensure that Arnold's family legacy cannot continue.—Huggo
Canadian Arnold Boult (Spencer Tracy) and his wife Evelyn (Deborah Kerr) are celebrating the first birthday of their son Edward (who is never seen in the film) with their friend, physician Larry Woodhope (Ian Hunter), in their London home shortly after World War I. Arnold is about to embark upon a new career in finance with Harry Simpkin (Mervyn Johns), who has been released from prison after serving time on fraud charges.
Five years later, Edward is diagnosed with a serious illness requiring a costly operation abroad. With his retail credit business doing poorly, Boult decides to burn down the building in order to finance the surgery with the insurance money. His partner, Simpkin, goes along with the plan despite reservations about the scheme.
As the years pass, Boult evolves into a wealthy, titled financier who will do anything to protect his son. When Edward is threatened with expulsion from his prep school, Lord Boult assumes its mortgage. Time passes, and Evelyn confides in Larry her concern that Edward drinks too much and appears to have no sense of morality. Larry strongly suggests that something be done to control Edward, but Lord Boult feels the young man can do no wrong.
Having served another sentence for fraud, Harry Simpkin comes to Boult and asks for a job. When Boult puts him off, he commits suicide by leaping from the roof of his former partner's office building. When the police investigate, Boult's secretary, Eileen Perrin (Leueen MacGrath), lies that Harry did not come to the office that day. She and Boult become lovers.
A year later, during a tryst in Eileen's apartment, the two discover they are being observed by a detective working for Evelyn's attorney. Anxious to avoid scandal, Boult breaks up with Eileen, who later dies from an overdose of pills. Boult departs for Switzerland to see his wife and Edward. Evelyn threatens to expose Boult to Edward so that their son will see his father's true nature. In return, Boult promises he will destroy Doctor Woodhope, who loves her, unless she remains silent. Evelyn acquiesces.
As the years pass, she becomes increasingly unhappy and begins to drink heavily. Edward also has become an alcoholic and is engaged to socialite Phyllis Mayden (Harriette Johns), although young Betty Foxley (Tilsa Page), who is pregnant with Edward's child, believes he will marry her. Boult informs Betty of Edward's engagement and seems ready to pay her off or provide her with an abortion, but she rejects his overtures and proudly proclaims that she can take care of herself.
Edward, serving as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, crashes his plane while stunting and is killed along with his crew. Lord Boult, now a widower, has discovered that Larry delivered Betty's child. Boult beseeches Larry to tell him its whereabouts. Certain that Boult will have just as corrupting an influence upon the child's life as he'd had upon Edward's, Larry refuses, leaving his obsessed old friend determined to do whatever is necessary to find his grandchild. Boult's quest is temporarily interrupted when he is imprisoned for having burned down his business decades earlier, but after his release he declares his intent to resume the search.
