Character Relationship Map: Make a Million

Characters

• Professor Reginald Q. Jones (played by Charles Starrett) — protagonist

  An associate professor of Social Economics at Pelton University, Jones argues that wealth should reflect achievement rather than inherited fortune. After being dismissed for his views, he creates a pu...

• Irene Corning (played by Pauline Brooks) — supporting

  Irene is a student who initially disagrees with Jones's economic arguments and reports them to her banker father. She later recognizes her father's obstruction as illegal, helps Jones reach the radio...

• Larkey (played by George E. Stone) — supporting

  Larkey is a publicity operator who sees commercial potential in Jones's plan to become a public millionaire. He arranges the newspaper campaign, exploits opposition to generate attention, helps organi...

• Pete (played by James Burke) — supporting

  Pete is a homeless beggar who first asks Jones for money and is protected by him from arrest. He teaches Jones the basics of panhandling, then helps train the beggars into a disciplined group of publi...

• Corning (played by Guy Usher) — supporting

  Corning is Irene's wealthy banker father and one of Jones's principal opponents. He complains to the university about Jones, challenges the legitimacy of the subscription fund, involves postal authori...

• Moxey (played by Norman Houston) — supporting

  Moxey is a wealthy newspaper owner whom Larkey approaches to launch Jones's publicity campaign. He begins a broad newspaper attack against Jones, unintentionally giving the campaign valuable free expo...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Larkey → Moxey (Professional Publicity Contact) — Larkey uses his professional access to connect the campaign with Moxey's newspaper.

  Larkey takes Jones's idea to newspaper owner Moxey, prompting the newspaper campaign.

• Professor Reginald Q. Jones → Irene Corning (Romantic Interest) — Their relationship develops from disagreement into romance and marriage.

  During the journey to Chicago, Irene and Jones become closer, and the ending states that Irene becomes his wife.

• Irene Corning → Corning (Family Daughter) — Irene is Corning's daughter and initially brings Jones's views to his attention.

  Irene Corning tells her father, the banker Corning, about Professor Jones's economic views.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Moxey → Professor Reginald Q. Jones (Conflict Publicity Opponent) — Moxey initially uses the press to discredit Jones, unintentionally increasing public attention.

  Moxey launches a broad newspaper campaign against Jones after Larkey presents the idea to him.

• Corning → Moxey (Alliance Strategic Ally) — The banker and newspaper owner cooperate against Jones's movement.

  Corning approaches newspaper owner Moxey, whose campaign attacks Jones, and both later confront Jones about the organization and its funds.

• Pete → Larkey (Alliance Campaign Teammate) — Pete and Larkey coordinate the campaign's unconventional personnel.

  Pete works with Larkey and the other beggars to prepare for the directors' meeting and support Jones's campaign.

• Professor Reginald Q. Jones → Pete (Alliance Ally) — Pete becomes Jones's practical ally and helps transform the scheme into an organized operation.

  Jones protects Pete from arrest, learns panhandling from him, and later relies on Pete and the beggars during the campaign.

• Professor Reginald Q. Jones → Larkey (Alliance Business Partner) — Larkey turns Jones's theory into a publicity-driven financial campaign.

  Larkey supports Jones's public-millionaire idea, organizes publicity, and helps him pursue the fund.

• Professor Reginald Q. Jones → Corning (Conflict Ideological Opponent) — Corning represents the wealthy establishment opposing Jones's economic demonstration.

  Corning objects to Jones's economic theories, complains to the university, and later attempts to prevent Jones from reaching the radio audience.

Story Analysis

Professor Jones turns an economic theory into a public experiment that redistributes surplus goods and creates a new enterprise.

Plot Progression

1. A Professor Without Money — Jones's criticism of economic inequality brings him into conflict with the university and Corning. After losing his teaching position, his encounter with Pete pushes him toward a practical experiment.
2. The Public Millionaire Scheme — Jones develops the public-subscription plan after an interview inspires him. Larkey turns the concept into a publicity campaign, while Moxey's attack unexpectedly attracts contributors.
3. The League Under Pressure — Jones's rapidly growing fund alarms Corning and brings postal scrutiny. The improvised league must appear legitimate, even though Jones admits that it began as a fabricated name.
4. The Race To Broadcast — An inspector gives Jones fifteen days, and a radio opportunity offers access to a huge audience. Corning blocks the advance, but Irene rejects her father's interference and helps Jones reach Chicago.
5. The Theory Made Practical — Jones reaches the Chicago audience while Pete diverts the police. The completed fund distributes goods worth three dollars for each dollar and grows into a nationwide bargain enterprise.