A middle-aged stock actor goes to London to try the big time. After much frustration, he lands a job doing TV commercials, gaining wealth and recognition. He eventually gives it all up to return to stage work and keep his pride.

Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.

Ace reporter Jeff Holly is assigned to investigate the murder of a politician whose body was found stashed in a trunk. Holly's enthusiasm soon wanes when his editor insists that he take his daughter Amanda North with him to investigate. Fortunately, the girl has a real knack for investigative reporting and they make a good team. They even fall in love. They discover that the killer was the politician's rival.