Polish seaman Korchinsky (Horst Buchholz) shoots his girlfriend dead in a fit of jealous rage. The murder is witnessed by 12-year-old Gillie (Hayley Mills), who steals the gun in order in order to impress her friends. The police begin investigating the case, asking Gillie a series of questions, but at the same time a bond of silence is growing between the girl and the sailor. Directed by J. Lee Thompson, 'Tiger Bay' marked the film debut of its young star, Hayley Mills.