Character Relationship Map: That Certain Feeling

Characters

• Francis X. Dignan (played by Bob Hope) — protagonist

  A talented but neurotic cartoonist and Dunreath's former husband, Dignan is hired to ghost-write Larry's comic strip while Larry is away. He needs the money for psychiatric care, and his strips become...

• Dunreath Henry (played by Eva Marie Saint) — supporting

  A sophisticated New York woman, Dunreath is Larry's private secretary and fiancée, though she was once known as Ethel Jankowski and married to Dignan. She hires Dignan to ghost-write Larry's comic str...

• Larry Larkin (played by George Sanders) — supporting

  A wealthy, popular cartoonist, Larry is Dunreath's employer and fiancé. When his syndicate complains that his comic strip is no longer funny, Dunreath arranges for Dignan to write it while Larry is aw...

• Gussie (played by Pearl Bailey) — supporting

  Larry's housekeeper, Gussie is present in the Manhattan penthouse while Larry is away and Dignan is working on the comic strip. She begins to play matchmaker as old feelings stir between Dignan and Du...

• Al Capp (played by Al Capp) — supporting

  A famed cartoonist, Al Capp is mentioned as someone Dignan was once associated with. The plot summary gives no further account of their work together or of Al Capp's involvement in the events at Larry...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Larry Larkin → Gussie (Professional Employer) — Larry employs Gussie in his Manhattan household.

  Gussie is identified as Larry Larkin's housekeeper.

• Larry Larkin → Francis X. Dignan (Professional Ghostwriting Employer) — Larry becomes the nominal employer and beneficiary of Dignan's comic-strip work.

  Dignan is hired to ghost-write Larry's boy-and-dog comic strip while Larry is away.

• Dunreath Henry → Larry Larkin (Romantic Fiancees) — Their engagement is the initial romantic arrangement that the story later overturns.

  Dunreath is described as Larry Larkin's private secretary and fiancée, and she is planning their honeymoon.

• Francis X. Dignan → Dunreath Henry (Family Former Spouses) — Their former marriage creates the personal history underlying their renewed connection.

  The plot states that Dunreath Henry was once married to Francis X. Dignan when she was known as Ethel Jankowski.

• Francis X. Dignan → Al Capp (Professional Former Associate) — Al Capp is part of Dignan's earlier professional history.

  The plot describes Dignan as a cartoonist who was once an associate of the famed Al Capp.

Story Dynamics

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

• Gussie → Dunreath Henry (Alliance Romantic Supporter) — Gussie supports the possibility of Dunreath choosing Dignan.

  Gussie acts as a matchmaker while Dunreath's feelings for Dignan return.

• Gussie → Francis X. Dignan (Social Matchmaker) — Gussie encourages the renewed bond between Dignan and Dunreath.

  Gussie, Larry's housekeeper, begins to play matchmaker as old feelings stir between Dignan and Dunreath.

Story Analysis

A former couple reunites when a ghostwriting scheme exposes the conflict between polished social ambition and genuine affection.

Plot Progression

1. The Names We Leave Behind — Dunreath Henry appears to have a polished New York life as Larry Larkin's secretary and fiancée. Her earlier identity and marriage to Francis X. Dignan establish the emotional history beneath that faç...
2. A Scheme In The Penthouse — Larry's comic strip loses favor with its syndicate while he leaves on business. Dunreath recruits the reluctant Dignan to ghost-write the strip in Larry's absence.
3. Success Rekindles Trouble — Dignan's strips become humorous and successful inside Larry's Manhattan penthouse. As Dunreath's old feelings return, Gussie begins encouraging the former couple.
4. Publicity Meets Conscience — Larry's planned adoption publicity reveals his desire for a child and dog who resemble his comic figures. Dignan rejects the plan and responds with an oversized hound and a damaging cartoon.
5. Love On Live Television — Larry finds Dignan and Dunreath in matching pajamas and fires Dignan before the broadcast. Dignan interrupts the live appearance, declares his love, and prompts Dunreath to leave Larry and her assumed...