A gambler discovers an old flame while in Argentina, but she's married to his new boss.

One evening, Hammer gives a ride to Christina, an attractive hitchhiker on a lonely country road, who has escaped from the nearby lunatic asylum. Thugs waylay them and force his car to crash. When Hammer returns to semi-consciousness, he hears Christina being tortured until she dies. Hammer, both for vengeance and in hopes that "something big" is behind it all, decides to pursue the case.

A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a beautiful liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette.

A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.

1946 film by Tay Garnett

1946 film by Howard Hawks