Charismatic but ruthless film producer Jonathan Shields (Kirk Douglas) needs a blockbuster after producing three consecutive flops and falling out of favor with the studio. To help him make a comeback, he appeals to three Hollywood heavyweights -- a director (Barry Sullivan), an actress (Lana Turner) and a writer (Dick Powell) -- who owe their success to Shields. Unfortunately, they all hate his guts and have vowed never to work for him again.