Eddie Kane (played by William Haines) is a protagonist in Excess Baggage.
A brash vaudeville performer and daredevil wire-walker who falls in love with chorus girl Elsa McCoy. As she rises to film stardom, he struggles with insecurity and jealousy, leading to their separation. After a career-threatening fall and a subsequent stage fright failure, he ultimately redeems himself and reunites with Elsa. Elsa McCoy (played by Josephine Dunn) appears in Excess Baggage.
A talented and ambitious chorus girl who transitions into a successful film star. She marries Eddie Kane but their relationship strains due to his insecurity and the demands of her career. Despite the separation, she remains deeply in love with him and ultimately returns to support his comeback performance, leading to their reconciliation. Jimmy Dunn (played by Neely Edwards) appears in Excess Baggage.
A flashy promoter who leads the chorus line troupe where Eddie and Elsa meet. He plays a minor but practical role in Eddie's post-accident storyline by booking him for a comeback performance billed as Back from the Brink.
Excess Baggage (1928) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Eddie Kane
(played by William Haines) — protagonist
A brash vaudeville performer and daredevil wire-walker who falls in love with chorus girl Elsa McCoy. As she rises to film stardom, he struggles with insecurity and jealousy, leading to their separati...
Elsa McCoy
(played by Josephine Dunn) — supporting
A talented and ambitious chorus girl who transitions into a successful film star. She marries Eddie Kane but their relationship strains due to his insecurity and the demands of her career. Despite the...
Jimmy Dunn
(played by Neely Edwards) — supporting
A flashy promoter who leads the chorus line troupe where Eddie and Elsa meet. He plays a minor but practical role in Eddie's post-accident storyline by booking him for a comeback performance billed as...
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Jimmy Dunn → Eddie Kane
(Professional Booking Manager)
Jimmy Dunn books Eddie for the comeback performance billed as Eddie Kane: Back from the Brink.
Jimmy Dunn → Elsa McCoy
(Professional Promoter And Performer)
Elsa is one of Dunn's Dancing Dames, a chorus-line troupe led by Jimmy Dunn.
Eddie Kane → Elsa McCoy
(Family Spouse)
The plot states that their whirlwind romance leads to a quick marriage.
Story Analysis
A vaudeville daredevil loses confidence and love through career decline, then regains both through courage and mutual support.
