Chicago policeman photographer Wayne Dobie is called Mad Dog as a jest — he’s quiet and shy and hasn’t drawn his gun in 12 years. He would much rather be taking art photos. He walks into a store one night and prevents a hoodlum from killing Frank Milo, a local big shot gangster who would rather be a stand-up comedian. In appreciation, Frank takes Wayne out for a night on the town, then sends him Glory, a barmaid. Glory’s brother got into debt with Frank, and Glory is “working” off her brother’s debt so Frank won’t kill him. Wayne is reluctant, but Glory explains that she has to stay or Frank will extend the period she has to work for him. They get to know each other, and of course, sleep together. When the week is over, Wayne has a problem. He’s in love with Glory and doesn’t want her to go back to Frank. He tells Frank no, and Frank sends his thug, Harold to Wayne’s apartment. Waiting for him is Mike, Wayne’s partner on the force, and the two beat each other to a pulp. Frank decides to give Wayne three days to come up with $40,000 to pay off Glory’s debt. Wayne tries to come up with the money, even though Glory hints that she won’t stay with him anyway. Just before Frank shows up, Glory packs and leaves. Wayne decides to not even offer the $27,000 he has raised, but he still refuses to turn over Glory. Frank and Harold and some other thugs try to get Wayne into Frank’s car when Mike and a bunch of cops show up. Frank backs off, but tells Wayne it’s not over. Wayne challenges him to a fight right there on the street. Frank dominates at first, but Wayne comes back strong. Then Glory shows up and tells Wayne to stop — she’ll go with Frank. Wayne refuses, but then Frank, because after all Wayne did save his life, backs down and leaves for good. Glory stays with Wayne.

A bit odd to see Murray as the bad guy, even though he was still a comic. DeNiro was good. Thurman was appealing but shallow in her role. The plot was predictable, but somehow the characters were likeable.