Character Relationship Map: The Missing Link

Characters

• Arthur Wells (played by Syd Chaplin) — protagonist

  A timid baggage porter and aspiring poet, Arthur is persuaded by Lord Melville Dryden to impersonate him during the voyage to Africa. Though frightened and out of his depth, he wins Beatrice Braden's...

• Beatrice Braden (played by Ruth Hiatt) — supporting

  The spirited daughter of Colonel Braden, Beatrice travels to meet the explorer she admires, Lord Melville Dryden. She instead falls for Arthur Wells while he is impersonating Dryden, and Arthur's cour...

• Colonel Braden (played by Tom McGuire) — supporting

  Colonel Braden is Beatrice's father and Lord Melville Dryden's expedition partner. He prepares to lead the party into the jungle to capture the Missing Link, while Arthur's impersonation of Dryden com...

• Lord Melville Dryden (played by Crauford Kent) — supporting

  A hardened British explorer and confirmed woman-hater, Dryden is Colonel Braden's partner on the expedition to find the Missing Link. After learning that Beatrice intends to meet him, he avoids the ro...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Beatrice Braden → Lord Melville Dryden (Romantic Infatuated Admirer) — Her expected attraction motivates Dryden's impersonation scheme.

  Beatrice is described as infatuated with the rugged adventurer Dryden and plans to meet him with admiration.

• Lord Melville Dryden → Arthur Wells (Power Impersonation Handler) — Dryden manipulates Arthur into carrying his identity and romantic problem.

  Dryden convinces Arthur to impersonate him for the voyage so that Beatrice will not pursue a romance with the real Dryden.

• Arthur Wells → Beatrice Braden (Romantic Partner) — Their romance develops through mistaken identity, danger, and comic misunderstandings.

  Arthur falls in love with Beatrice after she responds to his vulnerability and poetic nature. They become engaged at the end.

• Colonel Braden → Beatrice Braden (Family Father) — Their family connection places Beatrice within the expedition's social and personal stakes.

  The plot explicitly identifies Beatrice as Colonel Braden's daughter.

Story Dynamics

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

• Arthur Wells → Colonel Braden (Unknown False Expedition Member) — Arthur's concealed identity complicates his place within Braden's expedition.

  Arthur joins the African expedition while presenting himself as Lord Dryden, one of Colonel Braden's expected partners.

• Lord Melville Dryden → Colonel Braden (Alliance Expedition Partner) — They are established partners in the expedition.

  Dryden travels to Africa to rendezvous with his partner Colonel Braden during the expedition to find the Missing Link.

Story Analysis

A timid porter becomes an accidental hero when impersonation, romance, a fudge-loving chimpanzee, and a dangerous creature collide in Africa.

Plot Progression

1. A Porter Becomes Dryden — Arthur works as a timid baggage porter before a monkey drives him into Dryden's cabin. Dryden uses Arthur's awkwardness to solve the problem of Beatrice's expected infatuation.
2. Romance In The Camp — In Africa, Arthur impersonates Dryden and meets Beatrice. His vulnerability and poetic charm attract her, while a chimpanzee creates a misleading romantic misunderstanding.
3. The False Missing Link — Arthur avoids the expedition by faking illness, then traps the chimpanzee and mistakes it for the legendary creature. The escape leaves him exposed as apparently delusional.
4. Lions And The Real Beast — Arthur searches for the escaped chimpanzee and encounters lions instead. The actual Missing Link arrives at camp and threatens Beatrice.
5. Courage Behind The Drapery — Arthur first attacks with fudge, then returns disguised with the chimpanzee on his shoulders. He subdues the creature and becomes a hero.
6. A Comic Engagement — After a mistaken revolver incident, Arthur proposes to what he believes is Beatrice under the blankets. Beatrice reveals herself, and the couple becomes engaged amid the chimpanzee's final prank.