Sophie loved Edmund, but he left town when her parents forced her to marry wealthy Octavius. Years later, Edmund returns with his son, William. Sophie's daughter, Marguerite, and William fall in love. Marguerite's sister, Marianne, also loves William. Timothy, a lowly carpenter, secretly loves Marianne. He kills a man in a fight, and Edmund helps him flee to New Zealand. William deserts inadvertently from the navy, and also flees in disgrace to New Zealand, where he and Timothy start a profitable business. One night, drunk, William writes Octavius, demanding his daughter's hand; but, being drunk, he asks for the wrong sister.
Lana Turner
as Marianne Patourel
Van Heflin
as Timothy Haslam
Donna Reed
as Marguerite Patourel
Richard Hart
as William Ozanne
Frank Morgan
as Dr. Edmond Ozanne
Edmund Gwenn
as Octavius Patourel
May Whitty
as Mother Superior
Reginald Owen
as Captain O'Hara
Gladys Cooper
as Sophie Patourel
Moyna MacGill
as Mrs. Metivier
Linda Christian
as Hine-Moa
Bernie Gozier
as Jacky-Poto
