Rosina is frustrated by her engagement to millionaire John Johnson III, a fussy, domineering, control freak. The night before her wedding, she goes out dancing with her maid María, María's husband Tomás, and their friend Gordillo. When Rosina learns Gordillo is a sailor on the yacht owned by Mexican film star José María Beltrán, she decides to stow away and sail to Mexico to be with her grandmother.

A widower arrives in Puerto Rico with his son Angelito. The father dies and the boy goes to live with his grandfather who plays guitar in the streets. Angelito accompanies him singing and earns good money, but a political uncle accuses the grandfather of exploiting the boy and takes him to an orphanage.

The film, which is an ode to Rafael Hernández's song "Lamento borincano", is a social commentary of the political and social policies of the 40's and 50's which led to the abandonment of what was seen by many as the "pure", "virtuous" life of the finca (farm) for the "corrupting" influence of urban centers like San Juan and New York City.

Carl the Gardner grows odd plants for a rich Yankee woman Ellen Bennett living in South America while exercising a mental hold over her. All his previous employers died mysteriously.