Accidentally blinded by her prostitute mother Rose-Ann (Shelley Winters) at a young age, Selina (Elizabeth Hartman) D'Arcy has spent her life since then basically as a shut in, rarely leaving the small apartment they share with Selina's grandfather Ole Pa (Wallace Ford). When a friend offers to take her to the park, Selina gladly agrees. While there, Selina (who is white) meets Gordon Ralfe (Sidney Poitier), a young black man who appeals to Selina with his soft and patient voice. Selina quickly falls in love with Gordon, and the two meet daily at the park. When Rose-Ann discovers Selina's interracial relationship, she forbids the relationship and vows to do whatever possible to keep the two apart. Will Selina and Gordon find a way to keep their relationship alive in the heat of the strong opposition of Selina's mother?