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Hoping to arrange a profitable marriage between his son Al (Don Galloway) and wealthy vineyard owner Kitty Norris (Laura Devon), wine merchant Luis Aguilar (Gilbert Roland) ends up disowning Al when the boy insists upon marrying another girl. Later on, Al's wife becomes pregnant, compelling him to return home and beg his father for money. Luis agrees -- but only if Al can outdrink Luis in an all-night binge. Inevitably, this "wager" ends in murder, with Luis' long-suffering secretary, Ruth (Laraine Day), taking a hand in matters. (Incidentally, Ruth is not the "Joyful Woman" of the title.)