Innocent young Dorian Gray (Hurd Hatfield) has his portrait painted by a close friend. Soon afterward, under the influence of amoral Lord Henry Wotton (George Sanders), he jilts his fiancée, leading to her suicide. This is the start of a life of increasing debauchery, Gray, realizing that the outward signs of this are apparent only in the portrait. Eventually the picture, secretly hidden in his childhood playroom, becomes almost hideous to behold. But Gray still has one pure love - Gladys Hallward (Donna Reed), the niece of the original painter.—J-26