Jason Sweet (played by Glenn Ford) is a protagonist in The Sheepman.
A professional gambler who wins a flock of sheep in a poker game and transports them into hostile cattle country. He defeats Jumbo McCall, proves himself an expert gunman, confronts Chocktaw Neal and Bedford, and refuses to be intimidated. After winning, he sells the sheep to buy cattle and rides away with Dell Payton. Dell Payton (played by Shirley MacLaine) is a protagonist in The Sheepman.
A woman caught between Jason Sweet and her fiancé, Stephen Bedford / Johnny Bledsoe. She is attracted to Jason but does not initially understand his motives or place in the town's conflict. Dell also helps Milt Masters disarm Chocktaw Neal's riflemen, and ultimately leaves with Jason after Bedford's defeat. Stephen Bedford / Johnny Bledsoe (played by Leslie Nielsen) appears in The Sheepman.
Dell Payton's fiancé and the local cattle baron who initially commands the town's support. Jason Sweet recognizes him as Johnny Bledsoe, an old acquaintance who was once a card shark and gunfighter. Troubled by Jason's challenge and his connection with Dell, Bedford escalates the conflict and dies in the final showdown. "Jumbo" McCall (played by Mickey Shaughnessy) appears in The Sheepman.
The roughest and toughest man in town, whom Jason Sweet deliberately challenges soon after arriving with his sheep. Jumbo represents the local opposition to the newcomer, but Jason beats him in their fight, immediately establishing that intimidation and physical force will not drive him away. Milt Masters (played by Edgar Buchanan) appears in The Sheepman.
A local man who becomes involved when Chocktaw Neal's allies prepare an ambush against Jason Sweet. Working with Dell Payton, Milt disarms the waiting riflemen before they can attack. His intervention helps prevent the ambush and leaves Chocktaw isolated for his confrontation with Jason.
The Sheepman (1958) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Jason Sweet
(played by Glenn Ford) — protagonist
A professional gambler who wins a flock of sheep in a poker game and transports them into hostile cattle country. He defeats Jumbo McCall, proves himself an expert gunman, confronts Chocktaw Neal and...
Dell Payton
(played by Shirley MacLaine) — protagonist
A woman caught between Jason Sweet and her fiancé, Stephen Bedford / Johnny Bledsoe. She is attracted to Jason but does not initially understand his motives or place in the town's conflict. Dell also...
Stephen Bedford / Johnny Bledsoe
(played by Leslie Nielsen) — supporting
Dell Payton's fiancé and the local cattle baron who initially commands the town's support. Jason Sweet recognizes him as Johnny Bledsoe, an old acquaintance who was once a card shark and gunfighter. T...
"Jumbo" McCall
(played by Mickey Shaughnessy) — supporting
The roughest and toughest man in town, whom Jason Sweet deliberately challenges soon after arriving with his sheep. Jumbo represents the local opposition to the newcomer, but Jason beats him in their...
Milt Masters
(played by Edgar Buchanan) — supporting
A local man who becomes involved when Chocktaw Neal's allies prepare an ambush against Jason Sweet. Working with Dell Payton, Milt disarms the waiting riflemen before they can attack. His intervention...
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Dell Payton → Stephen Bedford / Johnny Bledsoe
(Romantic Fiancee)
Dell Payton is identified as Stephen Bedford's fiancee.
Jason Sweet → Dell Payton
(Romantic Mutual Attraction)
Dell Payton is attracted to Jason Sweet, and the plot states that he is attracted to her as well.
Story Dynamics
Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.
