In flashback, housewife Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford) is divorced from her husband Bert (Bruce Bennett). The hardworking, dowdy woman obsessively dotes on her two daughters, especially rotten, spoiled elder daughter Veda (Ann Blyth), so she is forced to become a waitress.

Through determination and will-power, she opens up a small restaurant, develops it into a successful chain, receives assistance from realtor/rebuffed beau Wally Fay (Jack Carson), and marries socially-prominent playboy Monte Beragon (Zachary Scott). The petulant, selfishly-ungrateful Veda  (Ann Blyth) romances her own step-father behind the restaurateur's (Joan Crawford) long-suffering back.

The murder mystery concludes with a resolution to the question - who murdered Monte Beragon (Zachary Scott)?

Academy Award Nominations: 6, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress--Eve Arden, Best Supporting Actress--Ann Blyth, Best B/W Cinematography. Academy Awards: 1, Best Actress--Joan Crawford.

Joan Crawford did receive the Best Actress Oscar for her role in the movie!