Adapted from David Karsner's novel, the son of a meat-packer
takes over the business and is urged by his mistress to be ruthlessly
ambitious.
In 1892 John Hayden (Edward G. Robinson) is in Athens and wants
three years before taking over his father's meat-packing business;
but his father dies, and John returns to Chicago. John sees Martha
Lane (Genevieve Tobin) stuck in the mud and helps her deliver
charity food. Late to his meeting, John tells them he will get
other packers to help rebuild Chicago. John gets $20,000 from
Charles Lane (Robert Barrat). Martha sings for him, and they marry.
Five years later Larkin (Robert McWade) tells John they need
$5,000,000 and sends him to Charles. Martha has a committee to
help the Cubans, and John offers cans of meat. John tells her
he needs a loan from her father, whom he helped before. Martha
urges John to merge his plant with her father's, and he agrees
if he does not pay it back in one year. Laura McDonald (Kay Francis)
calls on John and asks for two years operatic training in Europe.
They go to her apartment so she can sing for him; he misses his
wife's party.
In the 1898 war John opposes raising prices. John tells Laura
he loves her and wants to marry her; but she prefers fresh love
and encourages him to be ruthlessly ambitious. John tells his
men he is done with humanitarianism. He says he bought beef and
is willing to mix it. Soldiers die from bad meat, and Charles
blames John, who pays off the $5,000,000. Col. Roosevelt threatens
to smash John for murdering his men. John and the packers are
glad Roosevelt is out of the way as Vice President. In his club
a man talks about Laura, and John slaps him. John learns that
Roosevelt is President, and Charles tells Martha that John will
be indicted. Laura and John toast friendship, and she attends
his trial. Martha is going to leave John, but he is acquitted.
Martha tells detective Farrell (Henry O'Neill) she wants a scandal.
They sneak in and see Laura with another man. John arrives, and
Laura says he was never the only one. Upset John says he will
build higher. At home Martha gives John cocktails but dismisses
his romantic notions toward her.
In the 1914 war John signs European contracts, but Charles warns
him the war will end. Then contracts are canceled, and Charles
advises receivership. John says he is too big for that but can't
get a loan. He asks Martha to get her father to help him prevent
an audit; but this is her revenge, and she says she is leaving
him. Prosecutor Brandt (Douglass Dumbrille) questions John about
his books, and he is indicted. John flees to Athens. Ten years
later John is still there and is visited by Laura.
Instead of nurturing his own inclinations, John runs his
father's business and marries a meat-packer's daughter; but his
interest in an opera singer ruins his marriage. When he ignores
his conscience, he hurts many and becomes a major criminal.