A Modern Hero is a 1934 American pre-Code romance drama film starring Richard Barthelmess and directed by G. W. Pabst.

[1] When a circus comes to Pentland, Illinois, young Joanna Ryan (Jean Muir) is seduced by trick rider Pierre Radier (Richard Barthelmess).

His mother, the one-armed circus star Madame Azais (Marjorie Rambeau), warns Pierre about falling in love.

Joanna's Aunt Clara (Maidel Turner) arranges for Pierre to see his newborn son and introduces him to her friend, wealthy widow Leah Ernst (Florence Eldridge).

Planning to open a bicycle shop with his friend Henry Mueller (Hobart Cavanaugh), Pierre borrows money from Leah and becomes her lover.

The shop is a success, and Pierre and Henry move into the emerging automobile business, finding an eager backer in Homer Flint (Arthur Hohl), the richest man in the state.

In 1922, Paul escorts Pierre to school and stops in New York City, where he begins an affair with yet another wealthy woman, Lady Claire Benston (Verree Teasdale).