Character Relationship Map: Paris

Characters

• Vivienne Rolland (played by Irène Bordoni) — protagonist

  A glamorous and spirited Parisian actress who falls for naive American art student Andrew. She seeks his mother Cora's blessing for marriage, orchestrates a fake backstage fire to test Guy's loyalty,...

• Guy Pennell (played by Jack Buchanan) — protagonist

  Vivienne's leading man in a Parisian revue who secretly loves her. He initially sabotages her relationship with Andrew and feigns an engagement to Cora to break them apart, but ultimately confesses hi...

• Cora Sabbot (played by Louise Closser Hale) — supporting

  Andrew's strict, conservative mother who travels to Paris to stop his romance with Vivienne. After a night of indulgence, she feigns a scandalous transformation and fakes an engagement to Guy to sabot...

• Andrew Sabbot (played by Jason Robards Sr.) — supporting

  A naive American art student sent to Paris by his conservative mother. He falls in love with Vivienne and seeks his mother's blessing for their marriage, but ultimately leaves heartbroken after his mo...

• Brenda Kaley (played by Margaret Fielding) — minor

  Cora's demure companion who accompanies her to Paris to oversee the romance. She remains loyal to Andrew and accompanies him when he leaves Paris after his relationship with Vivienne ends.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Andrew Sabbot → Vivienne Rolland (Romantic Lovers) — Their romance is the initial central relationship of the story.

  Andrew becomes captivated by Vivienne, and their relationship develops toward marriage.

• Guy Pennell → Vivienne Rolland (Professional Leading Man) — Their stage partnership provides the professional basis for their close interaction.

  Guy is Vivienne's suave leading man in the revue.

• Cora Sabbot → Andrew Sabbot (Family Mother) — Cora's authority over Andrew strongly shapes his romantic choices.

  Cora Sabbot is Andrew Sabbot's stern, conservative mother and sends him to Paris to study art.

Story Dynamics

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

• Brenda Kaley → Andrew Sabbot (Alliance Supportive Companion) — Brenda provides Andrew's visible companionship at his emotional departure.

  After Andrew and Vivienne's final argument, Andrew departs accompanied by Brenda.

• Cora Sabbot → Brenda Kaley (Social Companion) — Brenda accompanies Cora during the intervention in Andrew's romance.

  Cora brings her demure companion Brenda with her when she travels to Paris.

• Vivienne Rolland → Cora Sabbot (Conflict Romantic Rival) — Cora becomes the principal obstacle to Vivienne and Andrew's relationship.

  Vivienne tries to win Cora's approval, but Cora refuses to allow the marriage and later helps sabotage the romance.

• Guy Pennell → Andrew Sabbot (Conflict Romantic Rival) — Guy directly competes with Andrew for Vivienne's affection.

  After recognizing Andrew's romance with Vivienne, Guy decides to sabotage it.

• Cora Sabbot → Guy Pennell (Alliance Conspirator) — Their secret alliance coordinates the deception that destroys the original romance.

  The later revelation states that Cora's scandalous transformation was staged and that she had conspired with Guy to break up Vivienne and Andrew.

Story Analysis

A romantic comedy about deception, parental control, and choosing genuine passion over social propriety.

Plot Progression

1. A Romance in Paris — Andrew arrives in Paris to study art and becomes captivated by Vivienne. Vivienne reciprocates and links marriage to Cora's approval.
2. The Mother's Refusal — Cora comes to Paris with Brenda to end the romance. Vivienne approaches her respectfully, but Cora refuses to consent.
3. A Dangerous Transformation — Guy's secret love leads him toward sabotage. After brandy revives Cora, her apparent liberation and flirtation with Guy distress Andrew.
4. Smoke and False Promises — Vivienne stages a fake backstage fire to test Guy, but the plan fails. Cora and Guy then announce an engagement that devastates Andrew.
5. Passion Over Propriety — Andrew leaves after the failed romance and his argument with Vivienne. Vivienne discovers the conspiracy, rejects the deception, and reunites with Guy.