United States

Danny Fisher (ELVIS PRESLEY) is a sensitive, talented young man whose restless energy demands an outlet. Desperate for his jobless and widowed father's love and respect, and impatient to obtain a better life for himself and his family, Danny forsakes his education for the promise of easy money. Falling in with a group of hoodlums, he becomes the decoy for a series of petty larcenies. Singing, and strumming his guitar, Danny distracts clerks and customers while his cronies fill their pockets with money and merchandise. And crime does seem to have its rewards. Danny not only meets his girlfriend, Nellie, during one of these "jobs", but a nightclub owner hears his singing and offers him legitimate employment. Danny jumps at the opportunity to put his criminal activities behind him, and soon he is the French Quarter's most popular attraction. But it may already be too late for Danny to have a normal life. His friends' small-time operation comes to the attention of a sadistic mobster named Maxie Fields. Maxie blackmails Danny into joining his "organisation" when a robbery attempt in which Danny participates leaves Danny's father critically injured. To pay for his father's hospitalisation, Danny sells his talent and his soul to Maxie. And when Danny falls for Maxie's girlfriend, Ronnie, Maxie's grip tightens into a murderous stranglehold.