Pert Kelly — Why Be Good? Character Profile

About Pert Kelly

The film's protagonist, a young woman who wins a dance contest and navigates societal expectations regarding female virtue through her courtship with Winthrop Peabody Jr.

Pert Kelly — Character Profile

Character Facts

Played by

Colleen Moore

Appears in

Why Be Good? (1929)

Role

Protagonist

Relationships (5)

• Pert Kelly — Professional Employer — Winthrop Peabody Sr. (Edward Martindel)

  Store owner who holds hiring and firing authority over Pert.

• Pert Kelly — Romantic Admirer — Jimmy Alexander (Louis Natheaux)

  One of the gentlemen of questionable character who pursues Pert after her contest win.

• Pert Kelly — Romantic Love Interest — Winthrop Peabody Jr. (Neil Hamilton)

  Initial attraction after the dance contest leads to courtship and marriage.

• Pert Kelly — Family Daughter — Pa Kelly (John St. Polis)

  Father-daughter relationship; Pa actively advises Pert on moral matters.

• Pert Kelly — Family Daughter — Ma Kelly (Bodil Rosing)

  Mother-daughter bond; Pert lives with her parents.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Why Be Good?

More characters from Why Be Good?

• Ma Kelly (Bodil Rosing)
• Pa Kelly (John St. Polis)
• Winthrop Peabody Jr. (Neil Hamilton)
• Man Dancing at The Boiler (uncredited) (Mischa Auer)
• Winthrop Peabody Sr. (Edward Martindel)
• Night Club Show Host (uncredited) (Bobby Burns Berman)
• Man Dancing at The Boiler (uncredited) (Randolph Scott)
• Host of Stumble Inn (uncredited) (Hector V. Sarno)
• Jimmy Alexander (Louis Natheaux)
• Party Guest (uncredited) (Earl McCarthy)
• Salesgirl (uncredited) (Phyllis Crane)
• Man at Dance Contest (uncredited) (Jack O'Shea)