Character Relationships in $

Joe Collins (played by Warren Beatty) is a protagonist in $. American bank security consultant who spies on criminal clients. He orchestrates a complex heist to steal over $1.5 million from their Hamburg bank safe deposit boxes using duplicate keys and a timer. He creates a diversion, pretends to save a gold bar, and partners with Dawn Divine. He evades a relentless chase and ultimately abandons the remaining funds after the Sarge dies. Dawn Divine (played by Goldie Hawn) appears in $. A hooker with a heart of gold who partners with Collins to steal $1.5 million from her clients' bank boxes. She replaces Helga to accompany the Candy Man on a drug smuggling run. After the heist, she secretly repacks the money into suitcases to protect it from pursuers, ultimately securing it for herself and Collins while driving off in a new Corvette. Mr. Kessel (played by Gert Fröbe) appears in $. The Hamburg bank president. He orders the bank evacuation during Collins' heist and insists on cutting through the vault wall to rescue Joe prematurely. Later, he tips off Collins when the Sarge calls to request Collins' home address, unwittingly aiding the getaway. Attorney (played by Robert Webber) appears in $. A Las Vegas mobster and attorney who uses the Hamburg bank to store illicit cash. After discovering his safe deposit box has been emptied, he panics and flees the country to avoid exposing his criminal past to authorities. Sarge (played by Scott Brady) appears in $. A crooked and overbearing U.S. Army officer who partners with the Major on a major smuggling operation. He negotiates a deal with the Candy Man for heroin-filled baseballs. After his money is stolen, he chases Collins and the Candy Man, but dies instantly after drinking a champagne bottle secretly laced with LSD. Candy Man (played by Arthur Brauss) appears in $. A ruthless drug smuggler who employs spies and transports concentrated LSD. He agrees to a heroin deal with the Sarge but loses $140,000 to Collins. After being tortured by his mob boss for the missing money, he escapes and chases Collins, only to drown after crashing through ice. He secretly laces a champagne bottle with LSD. Granich (played by Wolfgang Kieling) appears in $. The owner of a strip club and head of a drug smuggling mob. He hires the Candy Man to transport LSD to Copenhagen and provides an extra bottle as payment. When the Candy Man reports the money was stolen, Granich tortures him and likely torches his apartment in retaliation. Helga (played by Christiane Maybach) appears in $. A stripper hired by Collins to spy on the Candy Man. She is discovered and strangled by the Candy Man in a strip club. Collins later learns of her death through newspaper reports, which prompts him to try and warn Dawn Divine.

Character Relationship Map: $

$ (1971) Poster

$ (1971) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.

Characters

Key Relationships

Story Analysis

A cunning consultant orchestrates a complex theft from rival criminals while evading a relentless pursuit.

Plot Progression

  1. The Infiltration Setup
  2. The Vault Heist Execution
  3. The Criminal Pursuit
  4. The Champagne Betrayal

Directed by Richard Brooks

$ (1971) · 6.2/10 · comedy, crime, drama