An American Tragedy is a powerful pre-code classic that focuses on one mans brazen attempts to climb the social ladder by any means possible. Handsome and ambitious, factory employee Clyde Griffiths (Phillips Holmes) has worked his way up to a management role and into the arms of the charming Roberta Alden (Sylvia Sidney). When he meets attractive and wealthy Sondra Finchley (Frances Dee), Clyde must come up with a way to get rid of his desperate former flame before her needs prevent his entrance into high society.