The arrival of pretty Carol Milford in the staid Midwestern town of Gopher Prairie really shakes up the locals.

Carol Milford, an intelligent, artistic girl from the city, moves to Gopher Prairie when she marries one of its esteemed citizens, Dr. Will Kennicott. She is disappointed in the small, unsightly, and unprogressive town and decides to uplift it, but the townspeople do not respond and think she is putting on airs. Bored by her neighbors and misunderstood by her husband, Carol becomes friends with Erik Valborg, who shares her views; but she refuses his offer of love and escape. When Erik leaves town, Carol is denounced as the cause of his "waywardness," but Will defends Carol and shames the townspeople for their suspicions. Carol learns to appreciate her husband's love and accept the life of Gopher Prairie.—AFI