Character Relationship Map: Copper Canyon

Characters

• Johnny Carter (played by Ray Milland) — protagonist

  Johnny Carter is a traveling trick-shot artist and a former Confederate soldier who conceals his identity as a former colonel. He comes to Coppertown to help its struggling veterans resist Moss Balfou...

• Lisa Roselle (played by Hedy Lamarr) — protagonist

  Lisa Roselle manages a crowded establishment in Coppertown and presents herself as confident while privately needing support. She gives Johnny a place to stay, becomes romantically connected with him,...

• Deputy Lane Travis (played by Macdonald Carey) — supporting

  Deputy Lane Travis is the lawman who accuses Johnny Carter of taking $1,600 from the Southerners. His men support the accusation with a witness and the discovery of the money in Johnny's gun case, and...

• 'Scamper' Joad (played by Percy Helton) — supporting

  'Scamper' Joad is a former Confederate soldier who recognizes Johnny Carter as resembling the colonel who once fought beside them at Forest Ridge. Together with other veterans, he offers Johnny a prop...

• Bill Newton (played by Bob Kortman) — minor
• Martha Bassett (played by Georgia Backus) — minor
• Moss Balfour (played by Francis Pierlot) — minor

  Moss Balfour is the powerful local influence threatening the former soldiers and the wider community in Coppertown. The veterans recruit Johnny Carter because they need someone capable of helping them...

• Professor (played by Ernö Verebes) — minor

  The Professor is present during one of Johnny Carter's performances and is impressed when Johnny uses a mirror to shoot a globe. His reaction, alongside Lisa Roselle's, confirms the effect of Johnny's...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Johnny Carter → Professor (Professional Performer And Observer) — The Professor observes and appreciates Johnny's unusual shooting skill.

  Johnny performs a trick shot using a mirror to shoot a globe, impressing Lisa and the Professor.

• Johnny Carter → Lisa Roselle (Romantic Interest) — Their growing attraction develops amid danger and uncertainty.

  Johnny and Lisa gradually develop a personal connection. Lisa shares her difficult postwar life and her dream of reaching San Francisco, while Johnny...

Story Dynamics

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

• Lisa Roselle → Moss Balfour (Conflict Indirect Adversarial Connection) — Lisa becomes the intermediary in Johnny's attempt to confront Balfour.

  Lisa operates within the tense Coppertown community where former soldiers struggle against Moss Balfour's influence, and Johnny asks her to bring Balf...

• Martha Bassett → Johnny Carter (Social Concerned Community Member) — Martha's concerns belong to the same community crisis that Johnny enters and debates.

  After Jeb Bassett is injured, Martha worries that his sons will become involved while the former soldiers debate whether to remain together or leave t...

• Lisa Roselle → Professor (Social Shared Observer) — They share an audience role during Johnny's performance.

  Lisa and the Professor are both present when Johnny uses a mirror to shoot a globe during another performance.

• Lisa Roselle → Deputy Lane Travis (Conflict Skeptical Opponent) — Lisa challenges the credibility of Travis's case against Johnny.

  Lisa doubts the accusation against Johnny, even though the witness account and the money found in his gun case appear decisive.

• Johnny Carter → Deputy Lane Travis (Conflict Accused And Accuser) — Travis's accusation places Johnny under arrest and drives the late-story crisis.

  Deputy Lane Travis and his men accuse Johnny of taking $1,600, and Johnny is taken toward jail after the money is found in his gun case.

• Bill Newton → Moss Balfour (Conflict Opponent) — Bill participates in the community's opposition to Balfour.

  Bill Newton is identified as one of the former soldiers preparing to resist Moss Balfour's influence in Coppertown.

• Johnny Carter → Moss Balfour (Conflict Opposing Force) — Johnny becomes a direct challenge to Balfour's control of Coppertown.

  Johnny is recruited to help former soldiers struggling against Moss Balfour's influence and power. Near the end, Johnny asks Lisa to bring Moss Balfou...

• 'Scamper' Joad → Bill Newton (Alliance Teammate) — They act together in recruiting assistance for their community.

  'Scamper' Joad and Bill Newton jointly approach Johnny with a proposition on behalf of the former soldiers in Coppertown.

• Johnny Carter → Bill Newton (Alliance Ally) — Bill treats Johnny as a potential member of the former soldiers' cause.

  Bill Newton joins 'Scamper' Joad and Jeb Bassett in offering Johnny a role in resisting Moss Balfour's influence in Coppertown.

• Johnny Carter → 'Scamper' Joad (Alliance Recruiter And Ally) — 'Scamper' helps bring Johnny into the community's resistance.

  'Scamper' Joad, together with Bill Newton and Jeb Bassett, offers Johnny a proposition to help the former soldiers in Coppertown.

Story Analysis

A disguised former soldier enters a troubled community, forms a bond with Lisa, and faces arrest while challenging Moss Balfour's influence.

Plot Progression

1. The Gunman Without A Name — Johnny Carter performs astonishing trick shots and is recognized by former Confederate soldiers as resembling a former colonel. He admits his military service but maintains the name Johnny Carter.
2. Pressure In Coppertown — Johnny accepts a proposition to help former soldiers resisting Moss Balfour and travels to Coppertown. He meets Lisa Roselle while the community faces violence, injury, and disagreement over whether t...
3. Secrets Behind The Performance — Johnny and Lisa form a personal connection as she describes her past and her dream of building a theater in San Francisco. His lethal weapons and mirror trick reveal that his harmless performer image...
4. The Arrest Unresolved — Deputy Lane Travis accuses Johnny of stealing $1,600, and the money is discovered in Johnny's gun case. Johnny refuses to claim his former identity and asks Lisa to bring Moss Balfour, while the provi...