Cross Streets

In 1914, at a Clifton University Chi Theta Chi commencement reception, superb but poor medical student Adam Blythe is shocked when his fiancée, Ann Clement, announces that she is leaving him to marry wealthy Jerry Grattan. Disillusioned by Ann's shallowness, Adam begins to drink heavily, and two years later, as an intern, performs surgery while intoxicated and loses a patient. Seventeen years later, Adam, who has become a hobo, runs into his former fraternity roommate, Morton Talbot, at a gas station and discovers that Morton, who had flunked out of Clifton, is now a millionaire. After hearing Adam's story, Morton suggests that, "for old time's sake," they attend commencement at Clifton. There Morton introduces Adam as a preeminent surgeon with a lucrative practice in Europe, while toying with Dean Todd, the professor who had failed him, about donating funds to the medical school. In the fraternity house garden, Adam spies a familiar looking co-ed talking with her fiancé and learns that she is Ann's daughter June. The next day, Morton, who wants Adam to be hired at Clifton, pushes Todd to allow Adam to perform a delicate operation. Adam executes the operation with impressive poise and skill and convinces Todd to make him the head of the school's new research center, which Morton is funding. Later, June, who has been spending time with Adam, proclaims her love for him, and he embraces her. When Jerry tells Ann about June's infatuation with Adam, however, she is overcome with jealousy. Equally jealous, Jerry threatens to tell Adam that he is June's father if Ann pursues an affair. Then, to everyone's shock, Adam declares at a banquet that he is an "imposter" and relates the story of his downfall and his life as a small-town, alcoholic veterinarian. After his speech, Adam prepares to leave but is stopped by a still infatuated June. Adam selflessly convinces June to return to her fiancé and then is joined by Ann, who has been followed by Jerry. Insane with jealousy, Jerry shoots at Ann, but Adam intercepts the bullet. Just before dying, Adam wipes the fingerprints from Jerry's gun and announces that he has committed suicide. For his sacrifices, Adam receives a dedication on Morton's new research center.