Character Relationship Map: Second Chorus

Characters

• Danny O'Neill (played by Fred Astaire) — protagonist

  Danny O'Neill is a trumpet player in O'Neill's Perennials and one of two friends who have prolonged their college careers by repeatedly failing. He competes with Hank Taylor for opportunities and Elle...

• Ellen Miller (played by Paulette Goddard) — supporting

  Ellen Miller is a capable businesswoman who initially serves Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor with a summons for her employer. They persuade her to manage their bookings, and her business skill increases...

• Hank Taylor (played by Burgess Meredith) — supporting

  Hank Taylor is Danny O'Neill's friend, rival trumpet player, and fellow member of O'Neill's Perennials. Like Danny, he has extended his college years through repeated failures and competes for Ellen M...

• J. Lester Chisholm (played by Charles Butterworth) — supporting

  J. Lester Chisholm is a wealthy amateur mandolin player whose financial backing is needed for the concert. Ellen Miller works to persuade him to support the event, while Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Ellen Miller → J. Lester Chisholm (Professional Managerial Advocate) — She manages Chisholm's involvement as a potential financial backer.

  Ellen persuades J. Lester Chisholm to back a concert again despite his earlier withdrawal.

• Ellen Miller → Hank Taylor (Professional Manager) — She manages Hank as part of the band partnership.

  After meeting Danny and Hank, Ellen becomes their manager and uses her business skills to increase their gigs.

• Ellen Miller → Danny O'Neill (Professional Manager) — Ellen organizes opportunities and improves Danny's professional prospects.

  Ellen initially serves Danny with a summons notice, but Danny and Hank soon persuade her to work as their manager.

Story Dynamics

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

• Hank Taylor → J. Lester Chisholm (Conflict Adversary) — Their attempts to control the concert produce direct comic conflict.

  Hank tries to keep Chisholm away from the bandleader and places sleeping pills in Chisholm's drink; Chisholm responds by drugging Hank.

• Danny O'Neill → J. Lester Chisholm (Alliance Strategic Ally) — Danny cooperates in manipulating circumstances to preserve Chisholm's support.

  Danny and Hank use the brother ploy to bring Chisholm back on board and secure the concert's backing.

• Danny O'Neill → Hank Taylor (Social Friend) — They maintain a close friendship despite their competitive behavior.

  The plot explicitly describes Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor as friends who perform together in the college band.

Story Analysis

A comic musical rivalry evolves into professional growth and romantic resolution through schemes, performance pressure, and Danny's final assumption of responsibility.

Plot Progression

1. Summons and New Management — Danny and Hank perform as rival college trumpeters while extending their college careers through repeated failure. Ellen arrives with a summons but soon becomes their manager, increasing their profess...
2. The Rival Booking Scheme — After losing engagements, Ellen becomes involved with a rival booking opportunity. Her attempt to secure an audition for Danny and Hank collapses when their jealousy causes them to be dismissed.
3. Backing Through Deception — Ellen works to restore Chisholm as concert backer. Hank's husband and brother disguises create confusion, but the scheme ultimately brings Chisholm back on board and helps secure Danny's song for the...
4. The Mandolin Crisis — The performers must keep Chisholm and his mandolin away from the bandleader until after the concert. Hank's sleeping-pill plot backfires when Chisholm uses the same tactic against him.
5. Danny's Triumphant Number — Danny abandons irresponsibility and arranges his composition for the show. He receives the baton, conducts successfully while tap-dancing, and leaves with Ellen after the performance.