Crooked ex-cop tasked by Caspar to dig dirt on Jansen. Falls for June, withholds evidence, and gives her a tape proving Caspar's murder. Seduces June, steals her from Jansen, and secretly takes over Caspar's criminal rackets. Fights off gang resistance, ultimately gets severely wounded by Caspar but survives as police arrive.
Fred is Doris's neighbor, Susan's companion, and an attorney who becomes Kris's defender. He takes Susan to see Santa, challenges the case against Kris in court, calls witnesses including R.H. Macy, and uses the Post Office's delivery of Santa letters as evidence. He also encourages Doris and proposes buying Susan's dream house.
Gray Maturin is a millionaire who marries Isabel Bradley after she ends her engagement to Larry Darrell. His wealth gives Isabel status, but the stock market crash ruins the family. Near Elliott Templeton's death, Gray says he can repay his father's debts and rebuild the family business.
A South Carolina lawyer and former Confederate officer, Clay travels to El Paso to obtain estate documents and reconnect with Susan Jeffers. After witnessing corruption and defending John Elkins, he organizes vigilantes against the men responsible, but Susan warns him that he is becoming ruthless. He ultimately chooses lawful justice over a lynching.
A flower delivery driver wrongly arrested for an armored car robbery. After proving his alibi, he quits his job and independently investigates to clear his name. He pursues a suspect to Mexico, impersonates him to infiltrate the criminal gang, and ultimately uncovers the mastermind's identity, playing a crucial role in eliminating the conspirators and recovering the stolen money.
A former Los Angeles district attorney's office employee and detective, Mike loses his job after his engagement ends and takes work as a Las Vegas casino bouncer. Barzland hires him to find a ruby lost in a plane crash, drawing him to Santo Rosario and back into the orbit of his former fiancée, Janet. He falls for her again, helps her husband escape prison, and ultimately sees Janet taken away by police.
A wealthy playboy and Culver Military Academy dropout, Chris enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps and struggles to understand its rules and discipline. He earns his platoon's respect through leadership and boxing, saves Dixie Smith during gunnery practice, and later re-enlists after hearing of the Pearl Harbor attack. He is in love with Navy nurse Mary Carter.
A dancer and Vicky's Broadway partner, Dan repeatedly arrives late and dates other women, prompting her to quit their show. When his new production needs her to return, he follows her to Lake Louise and tries to win her back; they reconcile, and he proposes marriage.
Ted is the band's pianist and Karen's sponsor after the band adopts her for publicity. He travels with the group to Sun Valley, where he falls for Karen and her inventive attempts to win his heart. His growing affection for Karen aggravates Vivian, his girlfriend and a soloist with the band.
The vice-president of Walter McCracken's ocean liner company, Jay is sent to handle claims after the Cuban Queen runs aground. He accompanies Nan to Havana to secure her waiver, pays Monte to romance her, and agrees to manage Rosita. His feelings for Nan become genuine, and he sends Terry away before reconciling with Nan.
Don Vincente is a young bandleader brought from New York to replace Rudy Vallee at the Garden of the Moon. He resists performing with a woman singer, but wins public support when he sings without a microphone. After his broadcast attracts a sponsor and the hotel owners seek to sign him, he chooses radio work and later returns to Quinn's band.
A World War I veteran and the central figure of the story, Matt is the younger brother of political kingpin Tim. After a volatile encounter leads him to marry Lorry, he follows Tim into politics and uses corrupt methods to gain money and influence. His dealings with Johnny lead to further crime; after Johnny dies, Matt is indicted, abandoned by Lorry, and imprisoned.
John Payne has 66 screen credits in a career dating back to 1936. Signature works include Slightly Scarlet, Miracle on 34th Street, Silver Lode. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
