In a changing world where television has become the main source of information, Adam Caulfield, a young sports journalist, witnesses how his uncle, Frank Skeffington, a veteran and honest politician, mayor of a New England town, tries to be reelected while bankers and captains of industry conspire in the shadows to place a weak and manageable candidate in the city hall.
Jeff Carter has put an end to the town's delinquency with a boys' club. Young hoodlum Danny shows up and influences teenagers Doris, Willy and Leo. They hang out at a juke joint where Eve works. When Jeff tries to stop a robbery planned by Danny, he is killed and Danny goes on trial.
During the start of the Pacific campaign in World War II, Lieutenant Janet Davidson is the head of a group of U.S. military nurses who are trapped behind enemy lines in the Philippines. Davidson tries to keep up the spirits of her staff, which includes Lieutenants Joan O'Doul and Olivia D'Arcy. They all seek to maintain a sense of normal life, including dating, while under constant danger as they tend to wounded soldiers.
Small-town soda-jerk Peggy Evans quits her dead-end job and moves to New York where she invents a new identity.
Meek busboy Little Pinks is in love with an extremely selfish nightclub singer who despises and uses him.
A mentally unstable man, who has been kept in isolation for years, escapes and causes trouble for his identical twin brother.
A hard-working, white-collar girl falls in love with a young socialite, but meets with his family's disapproval.
A teenager falls hard for an irresponsible playboy.