Pinky, a light skinned black woman, returns to her grandmother's house in the South after graduating from a Northern nursing school. Pinky tells her grandmother that she has been "passing" for white while at school in the North. In addition, she has fallen in love with a young white doctor, who knows nothing about her black heritage.

Jeanne Crainas Patricia "Pinky" Johnson
Ethel Barrymoreas Miss Em
Ethel Watersas Dicey Johnson
William Lundiganas Dr. Thomas Adams
Basil Ruysdaelas Judge Walker
Kenny Washingtonas Dr. Canady
Nina Mae McKinneyas Rozelia
Griff Barnettas Dr. Joe McGill
Frederick O'Nealas Jake Walters
Evelyn Vardenas Melba Wooley