Character Relationship Map: Start Cheering

Characters

• Willie Gumbatz (played by Jimmy Durante) — protagonist

  Willie is the sidekick of Ted Crosley's frustrated manager, Sam Lewis. He joins Sam's effort to have Ted expelled from college so that Ted will return to his Hollywood career. His role in the plot is...

• Sam Lewis (played by Walter Connolly) — protagonist

  Sam is Ted Crosley's frustrated manager, who wants the film star to resume his Hollywood career after Ted quits movies and enrolls in college under an assumed name. With his sidekick Willie, Sam tries...

• Ted Crosley (played by Charles Starrett) — supporting

  Ted is a film star who has grown tired of Hollywood and quits making movies to enroll in college under an assumed name. As he struggles to fit in on campus and tries out for the football team, his man...

• Professor Quiz (played by Craig E. Earle) — supporting

  Professor Quiz is a radio personality who teaches a special course on campus. His presence gives Ted Crosley's manager, Sam Lewis, the idea of promoting Ted's campus activities on network radio. The p...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Willie Gumbatz → Sam Lewis (Professional Sidekick) — Willie assists Sam in pursuing the Hollywood-centered scheme.

  The plot describes Willie Gumbatz as Lewis's sidekick in the plan to have Ted expelled.

• Ted Crosley → Sam Lewis (Professional Manager And Client) — Sam manages Ted's Hollywood career and wants him to return to movie work.

  The plot identifies Sam Lewis as Ted Crosley's frustrated manager after Ted quits the movies.

Story Dynamics

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

• Professor Quiz → Ted Crosley (Narrative Indirect Catalyst) — Professor Quiz affects Ted's situation without being described as a direct ally or enemy.

  Professor Quiz's campus course indirectly leads Sam to plan radio promotion for Ted's campus activities.

• Sam Lewis → Professor Quiz (Narrative Strategic Observer) — Sam uses the course as the catalyst for a new promotional strategy.

  Professor Quiz's special course gives Lewis the idea to promote Ted's campus activities on network radio.

• Willie Gumbatz → Ted Crosley (Conflict Adversary) — Willie helps oppose Ted's college plans.

  Willie joins Sam Lewis in trying to have Ted expelled from college.

Story Analysis

A film star rejects Hollywood for college, while career pressures turn his campus life into a contested publicity opportunity.

Plot Progression

1. Leaving Hollywood Behind — Ted Crosley becomes dissatisfied with Hollywood and quits the movies. He enrolls in college under an assumed name, beginning a hidden student life.
2. The Campus Struggle — Ted tries to fit into college life and attempts to join the football team. His manager Sam Lewis and sidekick Willie Gumbatz begin working against his enrollment.
3. Quiz Sparks A Broadcast — Professor Quiz teaches a special course on campus. The course gives Lewis the idea of promoting Ted's campus activities through network radio.
4. Campus Life On Air — Ted's student activities become linked to Lewis's publicity strategy. Songs, musical accompaniment, and radio promotion intensify the conflict between college life and Hollywood ambitions.