Joe Briggs — Stranger on the Third Floor Character Profile

About Joe Briggs

Wrongly accused of murder based on Ward's testimony. Initially found guilty, he is later cleared of charges and drives Ward and Jane's taxicab at the film's conclusion.

Character Facts

Played by

Elisha Cook Jr.

Appears in

Stranger on the Third Floor (1940)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (3)

• Joe Briggs — Social Acquaintance — Jane (Margaret Tallichet)

  Briggs and Jane share a neutral, cooperative interaction during the film's resolution.

• Joe Briggs — Conflict Wrongfully Convicted — The Stranger (Peter Lorre)

  The stranger's confession directly exonerates Briggs, ending their indirect conflict.

• Joe Briggs — Conflict Accuser — Michael Ward (John McGuire)

  Ward's courtroom testimony directly leads to Briggs' wrongful conviction, creating an adversarial dynamic.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Stranger on the Third Floor

More characters from Stranger on the Third Floor

• The Stranger (Peter Lorre)
• Michael Ward (John McGuire)
• Jane (Margaret Tallichet)
• Albert Meng (Charles Halton)
• District Attorney (Charles Waldron)
• Mrs. Kane (Ethel Griffies)
• Briggs' Defense Attorney (Alec Craig)
• Charles Evans (Otto Hoffman)
• The Judge (Oscar O'Shea)
• Martin (Cliff Clark)
• Policeman at Accident (uncredited) (Jim Farley)
• Giuseppe, the Italian Grocer (uncredited) (Bobby Barber)