Diamond Jim

Diamond Jim Brady is born in 1856 to an Irish saloonkeeper and his wife, but he is orphaned soon afterward. These early losses shape his rough start in life and set the stage for his later ambition.

At the Spuyten Duyvil train station, he works as a baggage master. He borrows a suit and a diamond from a pawn shop to land a salesman job, and he quickly rises to become the top seller on the staff.

During a cross-continental sales trip, Brady rescues Mr. Fox from a crooked salesman and they are forced to jump from the train. He learns that Fox is pushing an 'undertruck' for railroad stations, and Brady decides to take on the product himself.

The venture with Fox proves successful, and Brady channels his energy into growing the business. His achievements bring him flamboyant diamond jewelry and the nickname Diamond Jim Brady.

Brady longs to marry his sweetheart Emma Perry, only to learn she is engaged to someone else. Heartbroken, he devotes himself to building the Brady-Fox Company.

Brady lavishes money on wine, women, song and food as his fortune grows and his legend expands. He attends a performance by Lillian Russell, befriends her, and promotes her career while flirting with her.

Brady meets Jane Matthews, a lookalike for Emma, and is instantly smitten. They become engaged, but on the eve of the wedding a drunken scene over rumors about Jane leads Brady to delay or call off the ceremony.

Jane remains his friend but refuses to marry him, having fallen in love with Jerry Richardson. Neither wants to tell Brady for fear of hurting him, and the engagement is called off.

When the stock market crashes, Brady loses his fortune and must start over. He pivots to promoting a steel railroad car touted for its safety.

During a public demonstration of the new car, Brady is injured and spends a year recovering in the hospital. The setback becomes the catalyst for rebuilding his fortune later.

After his recovery, he plans a continental trip to Europe with Jane, Lillian and Jerry, hoping to win Jane back. Instead, Jane and Jerry confess their love for each other, shattering Jim's hopes.

Despondent, Brady proposes to Lillian Russell, but she declines, delivering another blow to his already bruised ego.

He returns home in despair and contemplates eating himself to death. In a final gesture, he burns all the I.O.U.s in his possession, symbolically wiping out his debts.