- Sheila Dorne marries rancher Jim Russell after he assures her that he will never interfere with her literary career. The success of Sheila's novel and its subsequent dramatization take her to New York City and new friends, including theatrical producer Rudolph Martin, who falls in love with her. Prior to her departure, Sheila and Jim have a misunderstanding that is left unresolved. Jim unhappily throws himself into the construction of a large dam, which is completed just as Sheila returns home accompanied by Rudolph. When a flood occurs, Jim rescues Rudolph with the assumption that Sheila loves him, but it becomes obvious that Sheila prefers her husband.—AFI
- Sheila Dorne, city-dweller, goes west to seek atmosphere for her first book. In Arizona, she meets Jim Russell, owner of a cattle ranch. Jim sets out to win her over. But Sheila resists, claiming that husbands and careers don't mix. During a big cattle stampede, she sees Jim leap into action to stop it. She also observes his devotion to his crippled little sister. Finally, she agrees to marry him. Sheila spends all her time on her book, with Jim promising he will never interfere with her career. Sheila's book is published and is so successful that she gets an offer to have it turned into a stage play. She goes to the city to collaborate with Rudolph Martin, a playwright. Jim reluctantly accompanies her. He gets a job as a truck driver and then a riveter. Meanwhile, Sheila becomes the center of attention in society. The situation soon becomes intolerable for Jim, especially when he hears that Sheila will go to New York for the production of her play. He declares he is through being "Sheila Russell's husband," and that she must choose between him and her career. Meanwhile, Jim's employer discovers that Jim has a real talent for engineering, and offers him a position as a draftsman. Jim realizes that behind his drawings lies the same force behind his wife's writing - the urge to create. In his rush to hurry home to Sheila to beg forgiveness, he falls from the building on which he is working, straining ligaments in his right shoulder and hand so that he is unable to use them. Sheila, thinking that Jim has deserted her, goes to New York. Jim bitterly returns to his ranch. He finds an outlet for his frustration in the building of a great dam that had been abandoned by another company. He mortgages his ranch, in spite of the advice of friends and neighbors who believe the project is not feasible. Nevertheless, Jim sets to work, and the structure is near completion when a season of heavy rain sets in. The rising waters fill an upper dam, and Jim realizes that if that dam gives way, his new dam will be destroyed, and with it, his dream of achieving a work of which his wife would be proud. Word comes from the east that Sheila's play is soon to be produced, and promises to be a big hit. A paragraph in a gossip column insinuates that the divorce of Rudolph Martin and his wife may result in a new romance. Sheila's play opens to a big success. Then she gets word that Jim's little sister has been taken ill, so she heads for Arizona. Martin, who loves her and believes her career and happiness lie in the east, accompanies her on the trip. They arrive at the critical moment when the new dam, just completed, is threatened by the surging waters of the upper dam, which has given way. Jim and Martin are both caught in the rising flood waters. As Sheila watches the two men struggling in the water, she realizes she loves her husband so much she is willing to give up anything for him. Jim rescues Martin, believing that Sheila loves the playwright. Sheila and Jim reconcile, and he comes to an understanding of the creative drive behind her work. Martin returns to the east, leaving Jim and Sheila to build their future together.
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