Character Relationship Map: Hangover Square

Characters

• George Harvey Bone (played by Laird Cregar) — protagonist

  A distinguished composer living at 12 Hangover Square, George suffers stress-induced amnesia and loses an entire day after killing a shop owner. He becomes obsessed with Netta, nearly strangles Barbar...

• Netta Longdon (played by Linda Darnell) — protagonist

  An ambitious but mediocre singer who lives in the square, Netta meets George through Mickey and recognizes his usefulness as a composer. Although she finds him boring, she manipulates his affection fo...

• Dr. Allan Middleton (played by George Sanders) — supporting

  A Scotland Yard doctor who investigates George's amnesia, Middleton listens to his account of memory loss caused by stress and discordant sounds. He distrusts George after Netta's death, tries to prot...

• Barbara Chapman (played by Faye Marlowe) — supporting

  George's girlfriend and Sir Henry's daughter, Barbara finds George after his unexplained absence and hears his admission that a whole day is missing from his memory. She becomes distressed by his attr...

• Sir Henry Chapman (played by Alan Napier) — supporting

  Barbara's father, Sir Henry is present with her in George's basement flat after the first murder. He later watches from outside as the concert building burns and asks why George did not escape, sharin...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Barbara Chapman → Sir Henry Chapman (Family Father And Daughter) — Sir Henry is explicitly identified as Barbara's father and remains present during the final aftermath.

  Barbara is found in George's flat with her father, Sir Henry Chapman.

• Barbara Chapman → Dr. Allan Middleton (Romantic Potential Romance) — Middleton develops an approach toward Barbara amid the collapse of her relationship with George.

  While Barbara is troubled by George's interest in Netta, Middleton tries to get closer to her.

• George Harvey Bone → Dr. Allan Middleton (Professional Doctor And Patient) — Middleton examines George's recurring amnesia and attempts to understand its causes.

  George goes to see Dr. Allan Middleton and explains that stress and discordant sounds trigger his amnesia.

• George Harvey Bone → Netta Longdon (Romantic Obsessive Attraction) — George develops a consuming attraction to Netta despite her lack of genuine interest in him.

  George becomes enamored of Netta after meeting her at a smoking concert.

• George Harvey Bone → Barbara Chapman (Romantic Partner) — Barbara is George's girlfriend, but his fixation on Netta destabilizes their relationship.

  George returns to his basement flat and finds his girlfriend Barbara Chapman there.

Story Dynamics

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

• George Harvey Bone → Sir Henry Chapman (Social Acquaintance) — George and Sir Henry are connected through Barbara and the events surrounding George's collapse.

  George finds Barbara and Sir Henry together inside his basement flat, and Sir Henry later watches the burning concert hall with Barbara and Middleton.

Story Analysis

A composer suffering violent amnesia is drawn into obsession, murder, exposure, and a fatal final performance.

Plot Progression

1. The Missing Day — George commits a murder during an apparent stupor and returns home unable to remember it. His confession of a missing day leads him to Middleton, who learns about his amnesia.
2. Netta's Dangerous Appeal — George meets Netta and becomes enamored of her. Netta exploits his composing ability, while Barbara grows distressed and George's condition becomes increasingly dangerous.
3. The Bonfire Murder — George's fixation on Netta culminates in her murder on Guy Fawkes Night. He disposes of her body on a bonfire and successfully presents himself as innocent because he remembers nothing.
4. The Concert Trap — Middleton remains suspicious and confronts George before the concerto. George locks him away, but Middleton is freed and enters the salon with policemen.
5. Music In The Flames — The police presence restores George's memory, but his violent reaction starts a fire. He ignores Barbara's pleas and plays the concerto's final notes as the building burns.