Character Relationship Map: -30-

Characters

• Sam Gatlin (played by Jack Webb) — protagonist

  Sam Gatlin is the Examiner's managing editor, leading the staff as they prepare the early edition during a busy night in Los Angeles. He and his wife Peggy disagree about adopting a child: Sam is hesi...

• Jim Bathgate (played by William Conrad) — supporting

  Jim Bathgate is the Examiner's city editor and a colleague of managing editor Sam Gatlin. He makes a $1 bet with copy boy Earl Collins about how many babies a pregnant Italian actress will have. After...

• Earl Collins (played by David Nelson) — supporting

  Earl Collins is a copy boy at the Examiner who works alongside city editor Jim Bathgate during the busy news night. He considers quitting after failing to place a $1 bet for Bathgate about the number...

• Lady Wilson (played by Louise Lorimer) — supporting

  Lady Wilson is a longtime reporter associated with the Examiner. The plot mentions her grandson, who pilots a military bomber from Honolulu to New York in an attempt to set a speed record. This gives...

• Editor (played by Howard McNear) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Sam Gatlin → Editor (Professional Editorial Colleague) — They are associated with the newspaper's editorial staff.

  The plot centers on the Examiner newsroom and identifies both Sam Gatlin as managing editor and Editor as a newsroom character.

• Sam Gatlin → Lady Wilson (Professional Managing Editor And Reporter) — They occupy different professional roles within the newspaper environment.

  Sam is the managing editor of the Examiner, while Lady Wilson is identified as a longtime reporter connected to the newsroom.

• Jim Bathgate → Earl Collins (Professional Editor And Copy Boy) — Their interaction reflects a senior editor dealing directly with a junior copy boy.

  Jim Bathgate demands an IOU from Earl Collins after Earl fails to place Bathgate's one-dollar bet.

• Sam Gatlin → Earl Collins (Professional Supervisor And Copy Boy) — Sam occupies a senior editorial position above Earl's junior newsroom role.

  Sam Gatlin manages the Examiner staff, and Earl Collins is identified as a copy boy working in the newsroom.

• Sam Gatlin → Jim Bathgate (Professional Colleague) — They are newsroom professionals working within the Examiner's editorial operation.

  Sam Gatlin manages the Examiner newsroom, while Jim Bathgate serves as city editor during the same active news night.

Story Analysis

A newspaper staff handles professional pressure while personal grief, public danger, and a small workplace dispute unfold during one active night.

Plot Progression

1. A Newsroom Under Pressure — Sam Gatlin and the Examiner staff assemble the early edition during an active news night. Sam's personal disagreement about adoption reveals grief connected to his son's death.
2. Flights and Floodwaters — Lady Wilson's grandson attempts a military speed record from Honolulu to New York. At the same time, torrential rain creates a crisis when a child is lost in the Los Angeles sewers.
3. The Headline Decision — The sewer incident becomes a major newspaper story. Sam writes a provocative headline while the editorial staff handles the pressure of the early edition.
4. The Broken IOU — Earl fails to place Jim Bathgate's one-dollar bet, although Jim would have won fifty dollars. Jim demands an IOU, but ultimately tears it up and leaves smiling.