The Man Who Walked Alone

Plot

During the final months of World War II, a young man is hitchhiking to the small town of Plainfield. After several failed attempts, he finally steps in front of a car driven by a young woman. She tries to go around him, but crashes and blows out a tire. He changes the tire in exchange for a ride from the hostile woman. They reveal their odd names, but nothing else about themselves: he is Marion and she is "Willie". Wilhelmina "Willie" Hammond is actually a member of a wealthy high society family, running from an arranged marriage to another socially prominent type, stolid Alvin Bailey.

Acting on the reported theft of Bailey's car, the police stop the pair and put them in jail. After the police talk to Bailey on the telephone, the two are released. Willie takes Marion to the family mansion, telling him that she is the family's secretary. Having lost her key, she has him crawl through a window, causing the pair to be taken into custody again. Reporters at the police station eventually recognize her, revealing her identity to Marion. They are again released.

Willie initially thinks that Marion is an Army deserter, but after he explains he received a medical discharge, she gives him a job as the family chauffeur, even though Wiggins, the eccentric old caretaker of the estate, has misgivings.

Willie's widowed mother, Mrs. Hammond, "old maid" Aunt Harriet and younger sister Patricia all return from New York, along with Alvin Bailey and Bailey's physical trainer and sidekick, Champ. Mrs. Hammond and Bailey strongly disapprove of Willie's association with a presumed gold digger. Mrs. Hammond tries to buy Marion off, while Bailey sends Champ to get the police. Marion, however, is determined to win Willie's heart.

After a series of family arguments and complications, Marion is revealed to be a nationally known war hero. He was hitchhiking simply because he does not like publicity. He is warmly welcomed by the mayor and the governor, and honored with a parade by Plainfield. His killed-in-battle friend described his hometown so vividly to Marion and later bequeathed it to him, so, having no real ties to any other place, he decided to settle there. As Marion is being driven away, Willie sets out after him in her wedding dress, and, in a role reversal, he gives her a ride.

Cast