Outside the city of Monterey, on the coast of California, in the early 1930s. It is in Tortilla Flat, high on the hillside above that the paisanos, the poor people of Monterey, live out the stormy drama of their lives. The chief figure upon this stage is Danny, who is to his paisano friends as King Arthur was to the knights of the Round Table. Danny and his friends are interested in drinking -fighting - finding love - looking for money and food -and, through it all, trying to preserve their friendship for each other. Finally, still friends, they hold a party to end all parties.