It tells the tale of some members of the criminal class in 1920s America, and in particular one man and one woman's attempts to help him.

A busker playing a violin is harassed by a group of street punks until Police Officer Mehaffy (Paul Hurst) chases them away.

Mahlon views Rhoda cheating at cards and covers up her indiscretion with some sleight of hand.

The pair fall in love with Mahlon providing Tony's alcohol detoxification that returns him to his career as a concert violinist.

When criminal Bernie Weber (Budd Fine) disobeys Mahlon by carrying out a crime, the wheels are set in motion for a gang war.