Lu Rogers (played by Debbie Reynolds) is a protagonist in The Second Time Around.
Recently widowed, Lu leaves her children with her mother-in-law in New York and travels west for a job that falls through. She proves resourceful as a hired hand, exposes a crooked sheriff, and is kidnapped by him. After a posse rescues her, she uses her reward money to bring her children west and accepts Dan's proposal. Dan Jones (played by Steve Forrest) appears in The Second Time Around.
Dan is a saloon owner who becomes one of Lu's two suitors after she arrives in Arizona. He wins her hand after she is rescued and receives reward money, becoming her chosen partner as she prepares to reunite with her children. Pat Collins (played by Andy Griffith) appears in The Second Time Around.
Pat is a rancher and one of the two men who court Lu after she begins working in Arizona. Although Dan wins Lu's hand, Pat accepts the badge she is offered after exposing the crooked sheriff, taking on the law-enforcement role that Lu had been surprised to receive. Aggie Gates (played by Thelma Ritter) appears in The Second Time Around.
Aggie is a rancher who gives Lu a chance as a hired hand after the job Lu traveled west to take falls through. Her decision provides Lu with the opportunity to demonstrate her resourcefulness and succeed at ranch work.
Character Relationship Map: The Second Time Around
The Second Time Around (1961) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Lu Rogers
(played by Debbie Reynolds) — protagonist
Recently widowed, Lu leaves her children with her mother-in-law in New York and travels west for a job that falls through. She proves resourceful as a hired hand, exposes a crooked sheriff, and is kid...
Dan Jones
(played by Steve Forrest) — supporting
Dan is a saloon owner who becomes one of Lu's two suitors after she arrives in Arizona. He wins her hand after she is rescued and receives reward money, becoming her chosen partner as she prepares to...
Pat Collins
(played by Andy Griffith) — supporting
Pat is a rancher and one of the two men who court Lu after she begins working in Arizona. Although Dan wins Lu's hand, Pat accepts the badge she is offered after exposing the crooked sheriff, taking o...
Aggie Gates
(played by Thelma Ritter) — supporting
Aggie is a rancher who gives Lu a chance as a hired hand after the job Lu traveled west to take falls through. Her decision provides Lu with the opportunity to demonstrate her resourcefulness and succ...
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Lu Rogers → Pat Collins
(Romantic Potential Suitors)
The plot identifies Pat Collins as one of the two potential suitors who are attracted to Lu.
Lu Rogers → Dan Jones
(Romantic Potential Suitors)
The plot states that Lu catches the eye of Dan Jones, a saloon owner, and that Dan eventually wins her hand.
Lu Rogers → Aggie Gates
(Professional Employer And Hired Hand)
After Lu's offered job falls through in Arizona, Aggie tries her out as a hired hand.
Story Dynamics
Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.
Dan Jones → Pat Collins
(Conflict Romantic Rivals)
Both Dan and Pat are presented as potential suitors for Lu.
Story Analysis
A recently widowed woman rebuilds her life in Arizona through work, courage, romance, and a dangerous confrontation with corrupt authority.
Plot Progression
Leaving a Broken Plan
A Chance on the Ranch
Two Suitors and a Badge
Retaliation and Capture
Rescue and New Beginnings
Directed by Vincent Sherman
The Second Time Around (1961) · 6.2/10 · comedy, western
