Diamond Jim

Diamond Jim

Year: 1935

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: A. Edward Sutherland

Drama

The World’s Most Spectulator Personality! A loose biopic based on the life of Gilded Age tycoon “Diamond” Jim Brady.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Diamond Jim yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Diamond Jim (1935)

Trace every key event in Diamond Jim (1935) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Birth and Orphaning

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.

1856
2

From Baggage Master to Top Salesman

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.

circa 1886 Spuyten Duyvil train station, New York
3

Train Rescue and Undertruck Discovery

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.

on a cross-continental train
4

Brady-Fox Company Emerges

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.

late 1880s business offices and sales venues
5

Heartbreak and Pivot

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.

late 1880s
6

Wealth, Fame, and Lillian Russell

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.

late 19th/early 20th century Theater, New York
7

Jane Matthews Enters

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.

eve of wedding not specified
8

The Engagement Ends

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.

before Brady's Europe trip
9

Market Crash and a New Venture

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.

Great Depression era various markets and demonstrations
10

Injury and Hospitalization

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.

1 year after crash hospital
11

Europe Plan and Love Confession

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.

post-recovery Europe
12

Rebound to Lillian

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

after Europe plan home
13

Despair and IOU Burn

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.

end of story home

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:44

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Diamond Jim Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Diamond Jim

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