Susan (Joan Crawford), a flighty society matron, returns from Europe earlier than expected waxing enthusiastic about a new List of new religious movements. She is estranged from her intelligent and sensitive husband, Barrie (Fredric March) – who has been driven to drink by his wife's insensitivity – and she has neglected her introverted and maladjusted daughter, Blossom (Rita Quigley). Barrie tries to meet her boat as it arrives in New York City, but she avoids him and absconds to the country home of her friend, Irene Burroughs (Rose Hobart).