Joe Cooper — Manhandled Character Profile

About Joe Cooper

An insurance investigator working alongside Detective Dawson on the Ruth Bennet murder case. He is highly suspicious of Dr. Redman and Merl's background, and ultimately helps rescue Merl from Benson's attempt to murder her.

Joe Cooper — Character Profile

Character Facts

Played by

Sterling Hayden

Appears in

Manhandled (1949)

Role

Protagonist

Relationships (3)

• Joe Cooper — Alliance Investigative Partners — Detective Lt. Bill Dawson (Art Smith)

  Work side-by-side to investigate the Bennet murder and track the stolen jewels.

• Joe Cooper — Alliance Protector & Protected — Merl Kramer (Dorothy Lamour)

  Cooper shifts from suspecting Merl to actively rescuing her from Benson's lethal plot.

• Joe Cooper — Conflict Deceptive Rivals — Karl Benson (Dan Duryea)

  Benson manipulates Cooper for insurance money, later becoming his direct target.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Manhandled

More characters from Manhandled

• Merl Kramer (Dorothy Lamour)
• Karl Benson (Dan Duryea)
• Ruth / Mrs. Alton Bennet (Irene Hervey)
• Chinese Laundry Owner (uncredited) (Keye Luke)
• Guy Bayard (Phillip Reed)
• Charlie, a Fence (uncredited) (Ian Wolfe)
• Dr. Redman (Harold Vermilyea)
• Christine, Bennet's Maid (uncredited) (Maidie Norman)
• Alton Bennet (Alan Napier)
• Detective Lt. Bill Dawson (Art Smith)
• Sgt. Fayle (Irving Bacon)
• Italian Restaurant Owner (George Humbert)