Character Relationship Map: Draw!

Characters

• Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland (played by Kirk Douglas) — protagonist

  A former desperado who arrives in Bell City with Moses and becomes embroiled in a dispute with Reggie Bell over poker money. After violence breaks out, he is wounded and takes Bess hostage to secure r...

• Sam Starret (played by James Coburn) — protagonist

  A former lawman and Harry Holland's long-time nemesis, Sam has become a heavy drinker. Deputy Wally Blodgett brings him back to Bell City to address the crisis. Sam recognizes Harry from their past pu...

• Deputy Wally Blodgett (played by Graham Jarvis) — supporting

  The town deputy, Wally tries to manage the crisis after the sheriff is killed and Harry Holland is wounded. He persuades the reluctant, alcoholic former lawman Sam Starret to return to Bell City, then...

• Reggie Bell (played by Derek McGrath) — supporting

  A gambler in conflict with Harry Holland over money, Reggie presses his own interests as violence and public unrest spread through Bell City. He resists Deputy Wally Blodgett's attempt to have the tow...

• Moses (played by Jason Michas) — supporting

  A boy who encounters Harry Holland and tells him that he hates school, boasting instead about Billy the Kid. Harry urges him to study and helps when a runaway horse cart causes trouble. Impressed by H...

• Sheriff Harmon (played by Richard Donat) — minor

  The sheriff is killed when violence erupts in Bell City. Later, Reggie Bell publicly demands money from the sheriff and humiliates him, while the town's conflict remains unresolved. The excerpt does n...

Story Dynamics

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

• Deputy Wally Blodgett → Reggie Bell (Conflict Opponents) — Wally advocates restraint and a trial, while Reggie opposes waiting for the judge.

  Wally tries to keep the crowd under control and says a judge is expected, while Reggie resists waiting for a trial.

• Reggie Bell → Sheriff Harmon (Conflict Public Antagonist) — Reggie publicly pressures and humiliates the sheriff while resisting the prospect of waiting for a trial.

  In the final exchange described, Reggie demands money from the sheriff and humiliates him in public.

• Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland → Reggie Bell (Conflict Adversaries) — A money dispute between them contributes to the violence and the unresolved conflict in Bell City.

  Harry becomes entangled in a dispute with Reggie over money. Violence erupts, and Reggie continues to press his interests as the town conflict escalat...

• Deputy Wally Blodgett → Sam Starret (Alliance Persuader) — Wally recruits and brings Sam back to Bell City to help address the crisis.

  Wally is persuaded that Bell City needs a courageous sheriff and sets out to bring Sam back. He brings Sam to town despite Sam's protests.

• Sam Starret → Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland (Conflict Longtime Nemesis) — Their history as pursuer and fugitive shapes the standoff, while Sam insists on arrest and trial rather than killing Harry.

  They recognize one another because Sam once pursued Harry. Harry recalls that he could have killed Sam but chose not to, and Sam says he has come to t...

• Harry H. Holland aka Handsome Harry Holland → Moses (Social Mentor) — Harry encourages Moses to study and earns his admiration by helping during the horse-cart incident.

  Moses tells Harry that he hates school and admires Billy the Kid. Harry urges him to study and helps when a runaway horse cart causes trouble.

Story Analysis

A wounded fugitive, a returning lawman, and a town on the verge of mob violence collide in an unresolved struggle over justice.

Plot Progression

1. A Roadside Introduction — Moses meets Harry and admits that he hates school while boasting about Billy the Kid. Harry urges him to study, helps during a runaway horse-cart incident, and explains the brands on his back.
2. Bell City Turns Violent — Harry becomes involved in a money dispute with Reggie, and violence follows. The sheriff is killed, Harry is wounded, and townspeople debate lynching him or burning the hotel.
3. A Lawman Recalled — Wally concludes that the town needs a courageous sheriff and brings the reluctant Sam back. Sam and Harry recognize their history, but Sam says he has come to take Harry into custody for trial.
4. An Unresolved Standoff — Sam's sense of duty draws him back as he prepares to leave for Mexico. Wally argues for control and a judge's arrival, while Reggie rejects waiting and publicly pressures the sheriff.