An American Tragedy (1931)

Clyde Griffiths, a young man on the cusp of adulthood, is the lone son of impoverished missionaries. Having spent his life on the outer fringes of affluence, Clyde yearns for a taste of high society, a desire fueled by his job as a bellhop in a lavish hotel. His pursuit of the easier, albeit ethically dubious path, exposes a distinct lack of moral fortitude that defines his destiny. Fate brings him to Lycurgus, New York, where he lands a job at his paternal uncle's collar and shirt factory, the prosperous Samuel Griffiths— a man he scarcely knows. Clyde seizes this chance for advancement, oblivious to the complex web of familial ties and privileges that come with it. His diligence earns him the position of foreman in the stamping department. Despite company policy, Clyde embarks on a clandestine affair with Roberta Alden, a worker under his supervision. Their passionate and secretive love affair becomes a potent force in Clyde's life, only to be shaken by his encounter with the enchanting society maiden, Sondra Finchley. Sondra, a dazzling representation of the societal stature Clyde aspires to, instantly captivates him, and they fall hopelessly in love. As he dreams of a future with Sondra, Clyde's past catches up with him when Roberta reveals she's pregnant with his child. Torn between love, obligation, and ambition, Clyde contemplates a dreadful act—murdering Roberta by drowning her in a lake, aware of her inability to swim. Yet, when faced with the ultimate test of morality, Clyde finds himself unable to commit the heinous act. Although he resolves to marry Roberta, his previous lack of moral strength ensnares him in a tragic circumstance. An American Tragedy explores the dire consequences of ambition, love, and the ethical choices we make, painting a poignant picture of a man caught in the perilous web of his own making.

An American Tragedy is a crime movie featuring Phillips Holmes.

An American Tragedy is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.