During World War I, New York City gangster Louis Beretti lives the life of a good, hard-working son to his loving, Italian-American parents, who know nothing about his criminal activities. When Louis and two cohorts are arrested for taking part in the robbery of a jewelry store, reporter Bill O’Brien suggests an idea to District Attorney J. J. Cardigan that would provide good publicity for his pending election campaign: instead of sending Louis and the other to prison, he should send them into the Army to do their patriotic duty. Cardigan agrees and promises to destroy the evidence of the crime if they return from the army in good standing. At camp, Bill meets Frank Sheldon, a wealthy, college-educated young man, and becomes infatuated with Frank’s sister, Jean. Bill and Frank become best friends, but by the end of the war, Frank has been killed in France. True to his word, Cardigan drops all charges against Louis when he returns to New York and wishes him well. Although Louis is in love with Jean, he says nothing to her when he learns that she is to marry the wealthy Dick Milburn and promises to help her if she ever needs him. Louis soon opens a successful speakeasy nightclub, where he employs many of his loyal former cohorts who want to go straight. When his childhood friend, Big Shot, is about to leave for prison because fellow gang member Ritzy Reilly has “squealed” to the police, Louis goes with him to confront Ritzy. Louis leaves the men before Big Shot shoots Ritzy in the back, but provides Big Shot with an alibi by taking him to his parents’ apartment and changing the time on their kitchen clock before the police arrive. A few years later, Big Shot gets out of prison and promises Louis to go straight, but soon takes up with the old gang. Unknown to Louis, Big Shot arranges to kidnap Jean’s baby and hold him for ransom. When Louis’ sister Rosa and a distraught Jean go to him for help, he immediately agrees. With O’Brien, who has discovered the location of the kidnappers’ hideout, Louis finds the baby. He shoots several of his former gang members during the rescue, but does not kill Big Shot. After returning the baby to Jean, Louis goes back to his nightclub. There he and Big Shot sadly reminisce about the old days before they kill each other in a shootout.