Karen Stone (Vivien Leigh) is a middle aged former actress who moves to Rome after the death of her wealthy husband. The lonely widow is fawned over by a series of men seeking a short cut to the good life. Contessa (Lotte Lenya) is the pandering madame who sets Mrs. Stone up with Paolo (Warren Beatty). Karen falls in love with her handsome young "escort", who breaks her heart when he is given another assignment by Contessa. She is shamed and humiliated by the pretentiously prophetic gigolo, whose prediction comes true when the lonely woman swallows all her pride by again opening her bedroom door to him. Taken from the Tennessee Williams novel, The Roman Spring Of Mrs. Stone, this film marks Vivien Leigh's return after a six year hiatus.
