Edward "Teddy" Bare (Dirk Bogarde) and his wife Monica "Monnie" (Mona Washbourne) appear to be the perfect couple. Even though Monnie is much older, she is a fun loving lady and their age difference doesn't seem to matter. The only thing that she fears is that a recent illness that has weakened her. It has caused her to reflect about the age difference and the fact that she may die before her sweet Teddy. She is very wealthy and wants to make sure her young husband is provided for. With this in mind, she calls her attorney, Phillip Mortimer (Robert Flemyng), to prepare a new will leaving Teddy everything.
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When Phillip arrives the next day, Teddy is uncomfortably suspicious. He overhears the conversation regarding Monnie's plans but not the full story. He remembers that she made a will out when they were first married so he starts thinking she is going to cut him out. This does not sit well with Teddy as he has become accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle. This is the point where he devises a plan for murder.
That evening he puts a little too much brandy in his aging wife's tea and she is overcome with sleep. He tells Emmie (Kathleen Harrison), their maid, that he is going out for an hour. Instead, he sneaks around through the window, puts his sleeping wife on the floor, tosses matches about, turns on the gas and then leaves. Needless to say, Monnie Bare does not wake up in the morning or ever again.
The coroner's inquest goes well for the murderous husband. The simple minded Emmie testifies to the accident and is totally believable. His wife's death is ruled an accident though many disagree with the verdict. Especially Phillip, who believes Teddy did it for the money. The loyal attorney takes great pleasure in announcing that Monnie never made a new will and Teddy is now broke save the house they were living in. The greedy young cad reels in shock at first but then sets his sites to find a new victim. He heads for the coast in hopes of finding another rich old widow.
His mission is accomplished (or so he thinks) when he meets Freda Jeffries (Margaret Lockwood). The arrogant Teddy does not, however, get what he bargained for with this one. Freda is more street wise, not so aged and very self protective. She tells Teddy he must match her money pound for pound or no marriage. Teddy agrees knowing he hasn't a penny to his name. The two are married and it is a difficult relationship from the start.
Things become a bit more heated between the two as another woman arrives on the scene. Charlotte Young (Kay Walsh) is an attractive lady of means and she is looking for a large mansion to start an equestrian school. Teddy's experience in real estate easily gets him closer to the woman as he is willing to show her properties. Believing this may be a better mark, he finally tells Freda that he has no money hoping she will divorce him. She is not the least bit impressed and tells him to forget it because he loves him. She also lays down an ultimatum telling him to break off with Charlotte. Instead of breaking it off, he begins to try to convince Charlotte that Freda is suicidal and tries to enlist her sympathies. She appears to fall for it and tells Teddy she wants to let a room from them. Feeling this this is the perfect plan, he agrees. Freda is not so willing and sends Charlotte packing.
Fed up with the whole thing, the strong willed Mrs. Bare tells Emmie and Teddy to pack as they are going to the coast for a get away. This way he cannot have contact with that "other woman". Teddy fakes a call from Mortimer and tells his wife he must stay for a meeting. the two ladies go ahead saying they will meet later. With them out of the way, he can now meet Charlotte as he had planned to do all along. This leads to serious confrontation and you will never guess what happens next.
The review of this Movie prepared by Talea
