Character Relationship Map: Escape

Characters

• Countess Ruby von Treck (played by Norma Shearer) — protagonist

  An American-born widow and the lover of General Kurt von Kolb, Ruby initially refuses to get involved when Mark Preysing seeks help finding his mother. After learning that Emmy has been sentenced to d...

• Mark Preysing (played by Robert Taylor) — supporting

  An American citizen and Emmy Ritter's son, Mark travels to Germany to find his imprisoned mother despite being warned to return home. He follows a returned letter's postmark, receives Emmy's letter fr...

• General Kurt von Kolb (played by Conrad Veidt) — supporting

  A German general and Ruby von Treck's lover, von Kolb tells Ruby that Emmy has been judged a traitor in a secret trial and sentenced to death. He becomes jealous of Mark and later realizes that Mark i...

• Fritz Keller (played by Felix Bressart) — supporting

  A longtime servant of the Preysing family, Fritz is sent by Mark to collect the coffin containing Emmy, whom Dr. Ditten has made to appear dead. His errand is part of Mark's attempt to get his mother...

• Emmy Ritter (played by Alla Nazimova) — supporting

  A famous German stage actress and Mark Preysing's mother, Emmy is imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp and sentenced to execution after a secret trial. Dr. Ditten, a childhood fan, arranges to deli...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Emmy Ritter → Fritz Keller (Professional Employer And Servant) — Fritz's longstanding service connects him to Emmy's family and rescue.

  Fritz is identified as a longtime family servant, and Mark sends him to collect Emmy's coffin.

• Countess Ruby von Treck → General Kurt von Kolb (Romantic Lovers) — Their existing relationship becomes strained when Ruby chooses to protect Mark.

  Ruby meets von Kolb as her lover and asks him about Emmy's fate.

• Emmy Ritter → Mark Preysing (Family Mother And Son) — Their family bond drives Mark's effort to rescue Emmy from execution.

  The plot identifies Mark as Emmy's son, and he travels from the United States to Germany searching for her.

• Countess Ruby von Treck → Mark Preysing (Romantic Interest) — Ruby develops or expresses love for Mark while helping him escape.

  The plot states that Ruby taunts von Kolb with her love of Mark during their confrontation.

Story Dynamics

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

• Countess Ruby von Treck → Emmy Ritter (Alliance Protective Ally) — Ruby protects Emmy indirectly by sheltering her during the escape.

  Ruby allows Mark to find heat and shelter for Emmy at her house when the snow blocks their journey.

• Mark Preysing → Fritz Keller (Alliance Rescue Collaborators) — Fritz assists Mark with the practical stage of removing Emmy from the camp.

  Mark sends Fritz to collect the coffin after learning that Emmy has apparently died.

• Emmy Ritter → General Kurt von Kolb (Conflict Political Enemy) — Emmy's persecution places her in opposition to the regime von Kolb serves.

  Emmy has been judged a traitor in a secret trial and sentenced to death under the authorities represented by von Kolb's circle.

• General Kurt von Kolb → Mark Preysing (Conflict Jealous Rival) — Von Kolb treats Mark as both a romantic rival and a threat to his authority.

  After meeting Mark, von Kolb is jealous of the younger man and later confronts Ruby because he suspects Mark's escape.

Story Analysis

A son and his allies risk everything to free a condemned actress while political suspicion and romantic jealousy close in.

Plot Progression

1. A Mother Under Sentence — Emmy is imprisoned and faces execution in a Nazi concentration camp. Mark travels from America to Germany, but fear prevents family acquaintances from helping him.
2. Clues Through Dangerous Allies — A returned letter leads Mark toward the region where Emmy is held. Ruby seeks information from her lover von Kolb and discovers Emmy's secret death sentence.
3. The Coffin Deception — Emmy's apparent death is engineered to conceal her rescue. Mark and Fritz attempt to remove the coffin, but political police suspicion brings Mark back to the camp.
4. Shelter Before Flight — Snow blocks the road and forces Mark to shelter Emmy at Ruby's house. Von Kolb meets Mark, grows jealous, and begins to suspect that the reported death was false.
5. Ruby's Last Defiance — Mark and the disguised Emmy leave for the airport, but von Kolb confronts Ruby after recognizing the deception. Ruby provokes his heart attack, giving the fugitives time to escape.