Character Relationship Map: Christopher Bean

Characters

• Abby (played by Marie Dressler) — protagonist

  The Haggett family maid who harbors fond memories of Christopher Bean. She agrees to help Susan and Warren elope but refuses to sell Bean's portrait of her. She secretly saved seventeen canvases from...

• Dr. Milton Haggett (played by Lionel Barrymore) — supporting

  Head of the impoverished Haggett family. Initially unaware of Bean's fame, he sells a painting used to patch his chicken coop for $100. After learning the true value of the artworks, he desperately se...

• Warren Creamer (played by Russell Hardie) — supporting

  A former student of Christopher Bean who works as a paperhanger. He courts Susan Haggett and declares his intention to marry her. Despite being initially welcomed and then rejected by the mother and s...

• Rosen (played by Jean Hersholt) — supporting

  A rival art dealer who arrives at the Haggett house before Davenport. He offers Milton Haggett $1,000 for any Christopher Bean paintings in their possession, highlighting the growing financial despera...

• Maxwell Davenport (played by H.B. Warner) — supporting

  A New York art critic who sends a telegram to the Haggetts about Bean's paintings. He arrives at their home to identify himself and reveals that Christopher Bean's work is now worth tens of thousands...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Abby → Maxwell Davenport (Professional Potential Source) — Abby becomes a crucial potential source of the artwork Davenport is investigating.

  Davenport seeks information and valuable paintings connected to the deceased artist, while Abby possesses a portrait and seventeen saved canvases.

• Dr. Milton Haggett → Rosen (Professional Seller And Buyer) — Rosen tries to purchase the paintings before their full market value is understood.

  Rosen offers Milton one thousand dollars for any paintings by the deceased artist in the Haggett home.

• Abby → Dr. Milton Haggett (Professional Employer And Maid) — Their employment relationship becomes hostile when Abby refuses to surrender the valuable canvases.

  Abby works as the Haggett family's maid and lives in their household. Milton later tries to bargain with her over the paintings she saved.

Story Dynamics

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

• Maxwell Davenport → Rosen (Conflict Art-Market Rival) — Both figures pursue access to the newly valuable artwork.

  The plot introduces Davenport alongside rival art dealers seeking paintings by the same deceased artist, while Rosen independently offers money for th...

• Dr. Milton Haggett → Maxwell Davenport (Narrative Information Recipient) — Davenport's revelation changes Milton's understanding of the family's possessions.

  Davenport arrives, identifies himself, and explains to Milton that the deceased artist's work is now worth tens of thousands of dollars.

• Abby → Warren Creamer (Alliance Ally) — Abby actively supports Warren's attempt to begin a new life.

  Abby agrees to help Warren and a member of the Haggett family elope.

Story Analysis

A household's sudden discovery of valuable paintings exposes greed, loyalty, and Abby's decisive claim to independence.

Plot Progression

1. Rumors Reach Massachusetts — Davenport and Rosen pursue paintings connected to a little-known deceased artist. A telegram alerts the Haggett household, while Abby's memories contrast with the family's dismissive opinion.
2. Dealers Circle The House — A false identity allows one dealer to buy paintings cheaply from Milton. Rosen then makes a larger offer, and Abby protects the portrait in her possession.
3. The Fortune Is Revealed — Davenport identifies himself and reveals that the paintings may be worth tens of thousands. A museum telegram drives the household into a frantic search.
4. Abby Claims The Trunk — The household learns that many canvases were burned, but Abby reveals that she saved seventeen. Milton's attempt to seize them creates the central confrontation.
5. Departure With The Paintings — Abby's claim to be the artist's legal widow forces Milton to release the canvases. She leaves for Chicago while Warren's future plans are also secured.