L.A. private eye Philip Marlowe takes on a blackmail case and follows a trail peopled with murderers, pornographers, nightclub rogues and the spoiled rich.
The control of the gangster-political boss of an eastern city is slipping. The situation is complicated by a woman- both the boss and his trusted lieutenant are in love with her. Then the boss's control is challenged by an upstart Italian underboss and his ruthless henchman.
