Character Relationship Map: Variety

Characters

• Boss Huller (played by Emil Jannings) — protagonist

  A central character and acrobat who is imprisoned as inmate number 28 and sentenced to ten years. He abandons his wife and child to leave with Bertha-Marie, becomes her performing partner, joins Artin...

• Frau Huller (played by Maly Delschaft) — supporting

  Boss Huller’s wife and an acrobat. She protests when he leaves, reminds him of his responsibility toward their family, and later appeals to the minister of justice for clemency while continuing to hop...

• Bertha-Marie (played by Lya De Putti) — supporting

  A young girl whose mother dies of fever during a voyage. Found aboard a freight ship, she is given the name Bertha-Marie and becomes Boss Huller’s new performing partner. Her success and growing relat...

• Artinelli (played by Warwick Ward) — supporting

  A celebrated acrobat who needs a replacement after his brother is injured. He brings Boss Huller into a successful trio at the Wintergarten, openly admires Bertha-Marie, and receives an offer to perfo...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Artinelli → Bertha-Marie (Romantic Admiration) — Artinelli's interest in Bertha-Marie intensifies the rivalry with Boss Huller.

  Artinelli openly admires Bertha-Marie, and their relationship appears to deepen when he receives an offer to perform in America.

• Boss Huller → Bertha-Marie (Romantic Fascination) — His attraction to Bertha-Marie drives him to abandon his existing family life.

  After meeting Bertha-Marie following a performance, Boss Huller becomes fascinated with her and insists on leaving with her.

• Boss Huller → Frau Huller (Family Husband) — Their marriage is strained by Boss Huller's abandonment and later suffering.

  The plot identifies Frau Huller as Boss Huller's wife and shows her appealing for clemency after his imprisonment.

Story Dynamics

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

• Boss Huller → Artinelli (Conflict Rival) — Their competition over Bertha-Marie culminates in a knife-drawn confrontation.

  Artinelli's admiration for Bertha-Marie contributes to a rivalry that finally becomes a violent confrontation.

Story Analysis

A celebrated acrobat's pursuit of desire and fame destroys his family, professional partnership, and freedom.

Plot Progression

1. Mercy Behind Bars — The film opens with Boss Huller imprisoned as inmate number 28. A letter and a clemency appeal establish Frau Huller's continuing hope for his release.
2. The Girl from the Ship — The story moves to Hamburg, where a young girl arrives after her mother's death during a voyage. Boss Huller agrees to keep her and becomes fascinated with her after a performance.
3. Leaving Hamburg — Boss Huller rejects his established life with Frau Huller and announces that he will leave with Bertha-Marie. His choice breaks the domestic balance and sends them toward Berlin.
4. Berlin's Dangerous Fame — At the Wintergarten, Boss Huller joins Artinelli and Bertha-Marie in a celebrated act. Fame, parties, gambling, and Artinelli's admiration for Bertha-Marie gradually intensify the conflict.
5. The Knife and the Sentence — Artinelli's American opportunity coincides with a deepening relationship with Bertha-Marie. Jealousy becomes violent, Boss Huller is arrested and sentenced, and the prison frame returns with Frau Hull...