A girl on the road to stardom fights the dehumanizing effects of Hollywood life.

In California in 1936, Daisy Clover, a rebellious 15-year-old, lives with her mother whom she calls "The Dealer" because of her passion for playing solitaire. Daisy, who likes to sing, makes a recording of her voice and sends it to Hollywood studio head Raymond Swan, who gives Daisy a screen test and then a contract. Daisy's sister, Gloria, connives with her husband and Swan to have "The Dealer" committed to a sanitarium and herself appointed Daisy's guardian. At Swan's party to introduce Daisy to Hollywood, she meets screen idol Wade Lewis and then spends the night with him; and she does so again after the premiere of her film. When Daisy and Wade are summoned to Swan's office to explain their behavior, Wade announces his intention to marry Daisy. They wed, but when Daisy awakens on the first morning of their honeymoon, Wade is gone. She returns to Hollywood, where Melora, Swan's wife, tells Daisy that Wade prefers men to women. Heartbroken, Daisy takes "The Dealer" out of the sanitarium and brings her to live with her at a beachhouse, but "The Dealer" dies shortly thereafter. Daisy, working on a film, has a breakdown at the studio. She becomes a recluse at her beachhouse, refusing to speak to anyone, and makes an abortive suicide attempt. She leaves the house, the gas still on and a flame under the coffee, and the house blows up as she walks down the beach. Daisy is a has-been at 17, but she has made up her mind to fight back.