Former private detective Jeff Bailey (Robert Mitchum in his first starring role) is trying to live a quiet life, but his past comes back to haunt him. He was once hired by a gambler Whit (Kirk Douglas) to find his runaway girlfriend, Kathie (Jane Greer). Jeff traced her to Mexico and fell in love. She lured him into double-crossing the dangerous Whit, but it was really Jeff who had been double-crossed.
Years later, Jeff's quiet life is once again shattered as his old criminal associates descend upon him. Now he's in deep trouble—someone is trying to frame him for murder.
Everything a fan of film noir could hope for is here in Out of the Past: a tenacious detective, beautiful women, double crossing tough guys, shadowy, dark rooms and even darker souls.