Character Relationship Map: Man-Proof

Characters

• Jimmy Kilmartin (played by Franchot Tone) — protagonist

  Jimmy is a newspaper artist and a friend of Mimi's mother, Meg Swift. He warns Mimi about Alan Wythe's history with women, arranges her illustration job, and repeatedly consoles her as she pursues Ala...

• Elizabeth Kent (played by Rosalind Russell) — supporting

  Elizabeth is an heiress who marries Alan Wythe, the man Mimi loves. Her return from the honeymoon prompts Mimi to pretend she has moved on, but Mimi later tells Elizabeth about her feelings for Alan....

• Alan Wythe (played by Walter Pidgeon) — supporting

  Alan is a playboy whose past with women concerns Jimmy Kilmartin, and he is the object of Mimi Swift's unreturned love. He marries heiress Elizabeth Kent, later spends time with Mimi as a supposed fri...

• Meg Swift (played by Nana Bryant) — supporting

  Meg is Mimi's mother and a wealthy, famous novelist. She comforts Mimi after Alan marries Elizabeth and encourages her daughter to move out, build a career, and try to forget Alan. Later, Meg's home i...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Alan Wythe → Elizabeth Kent (Romantic Spouses) — Their marriage is the central romantic obstacle in the story.

  Alan marries Elizabeth, and they return from their honeymoon as a married couple. When their marriage is threatened, Alan accompanies Elizabeth to try...

Story Dynamics

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

• Meg Swift → Alan Wythe (Conflict Disapproving Acquaintances) — Meg views Alan's influence as dangerous to the young woman's emotional recovery.

  Meg becomes worried after seeing the young woman with Alan at the boxing match, and she supports the decision to move away from the destructive romanc...

• Jimmy Kilmartin → Alan Wythe (Conflict Moral Opponents) — Jimmy opposes Alan's romantic conduct and attempts to restrain its consequences.

  Jimmy warns the young woman about Alan's scandalous past and later tries to prevent her from breaking up Alan's marriage.

• Jimmy Kilmartin → Meg Swift (Social Friends) — They share a supportive friendship and concern for the young woman's welfare.

  Jimmy is described as Meg's newspaper artist friend. Both Jimmy and Meg attempt to console the young woman after her heartbreak.

Story Analysis

A young woman's fixation on a married playboy gradually gives way to recognition of the loyal love beside her.

Plot Progression

1. A Love Denied — The young woman hopes to marry Alan, but he chooses Elizabeth instead. She endures the wedding as a bridesmaid before confessing her feelings while drunk.
2. Building a New Life — Meg encourages the young woman to leave home and pursue a career. Jimmy helps her obtain work at his newspaper, allowing her to regain confidence.
3. The Dangerous Reunion — Alan's return from his honeymoon reopens the old emotional wound. The young woman pretends to want only friendship, but their outings revive the affair.
4. A Marriage Under Threat — The young woman admits to Jimmy that she still loves Alan and informs Elizabeth of her feelings. Alan considers continuing the affair despite Jimmy's objections.
5. Choosing a Truer Love — Elizabeth confronts Alan, and he leaves with her to save their marriage. Jimmy consoles the young woman, and their long-standing emotional bond becomes openly romantic.