It is rather difficult to know what RKO intended with this sort of film.The lead role cries out to be played by a dynamic actor such as Edward G.Robinson.Instead of which we have Edward Ellis.I seem to recall him in many supporting roles.So clearly this was designed as a B feature.He plays a shopkeeper who comes to Chicago with his wife after the Great Fire and builds up the business to become a big department store only to loose first his wife to death and his children to self indulgence along the way.Even by 1939 this sort of film had been done much better on many previous occasions.Given that the film seems to cover a period of 30 years that is rather too ambitious for the allotted 72minutes.