Sadie Martin is the owner of a riverboat used by miners traveling to their claims. She sends her daughter Helen to boarding school so Helen can live an upper-class lifestyle, but financial pressure forces Sadie to sell the boat. When John Thorne threatens her livelihood and her customers, she asks Ace Rincon for help.
A notorious woman who reenters London society and claims to be Lady Windermere's mother. She accepts Lord Windermere's financial arrangement, attends the ball despite the withdrawn invitation, then follows Lady Windermere, persuades her to return, protects her from scandal, and later declines Lord Augustus Lorton's proposal.
Wife of Professor Roth. She expresses early concerns about the rising Nazi regime, intervenes to protect Martin from a gang assault, and later meets her imprisoned husband, ultimately agreeing to flee the country.
Irene is the widowed daughter of Banker Mervin and the mother of Audrey. After returning home from abroad, she challenges John Harrison in the mayoral election, renewing their old conflict. As she recognizes that she still loves him, she abandons her mayoral ambitions and chooses a future as his wife.
A wealthy widow and Janet's devoted mother, Bernice once gave up her love for Tom to marry into wealth. When Tom proposes again, she refuses to protect Janet's inheritance. Later, she pretends to court Philip to draw him away from Janet, then accepts her daughter's remorse and encourages her to choose Larry's sincere love.
Carol is a singer driven to attempt suicide by poverty, but Rose saves her and offers her a meal. After Carol is arrested under an assumed name, she is released penniless; Stratini recognizes her talent and trains her, and she becomes a protégé of the Sturdevants. She later tells her story about Gordon Duane and is loved by Whitney and Stratini.
Myra is Helene's older sister and the private secretary to divorce attorney Leonard Gilbert. Wary of Huntley Sheldon's advances toward Helene, she disguises herself to confront him and protect her sister. After Sheldon tricks her into staying overnight, she becomes caught up in a series of near-misses at his apartment before escaping with Helene.
Carol runs a busy seaside restaurant in her father Ned McCobb’s home and works alongside her husband, George. After George’s theft and dishonesty bring financial ruin, she reluctantly accepts Babe’s help and allows his bootlegging operation into the house. She ultimately turns to Babe to save the children and responds to his promise to make amends.
A widowed mother who is determined to secure a college education for her son, Stephen, and encourage his literary ambitions. To support him, she takes a singing contract at a Broadway nightclub under the name Dearie and quickly becomes a sensation. After Stephen learns of her work and treats her cruelly, she ultimately forgives him; she later marries Luigi.
Mrs. Walker is Walter A. Walker's wife, whom he deserted along with their two children. After Bart pursues Walter, Bart seeks refuge in her cabin, where he is captured. Her connection to Walter helps reveal the truth behind Lady Lou's claim that Walter is her brother.
Mary is Margaret's youngest daughter and leaves the Lambert home with her mother when the family members do not get along. She later becomes a couple with Dick, Jim's brother. Her relationship with Margaret and her romantic pairing with Dick connect her to the family's eventual reunion.
Joan is a society beauty who tries to save Helen from Genne's fascination by arousing his antagonism. Because she argues with him, suspicion for his murder falls on her, but the investigation clears her. She and Tad are then free to marry.
Irene Rich has 105 screen credits in a career dating back to 1918. Signature works include Queen of the Yukon, Everybody's Hobby, Daughters of Desire. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
