Character Relationship Map: Doll Face

Characters

• Mary Elizabeth 'Doll Face' Carroll (played by Vivian Blaine) — protagonist

  Burlesque entertainer seeking to elevate her public image. Hires Frederick as a ghostwriter for an autobiography. Travels to Jamaica, NY for final edits, where a boat breakdown strands them. Publishes...

• Michael Francis 'Mike' Hannegan (played by Dennis O'Keefe) — protagonist

  Manager and fiancé who suggests Doll Face write an autobiography and hires a ghostwriter. Funds a Broadway production using performers' money. Misinterprets her stranded situation, breaks up with her,...

• Chita Chula (played by Carmen Miranda) — supporting

  Fellow burlesque performer who warns that Doll Face's departure could close the theater. Expresses skepticism about the Broadway project and takes offense to Mike's comparison to Carmen Miranda.

• Frederick Manly Gerard (played by Stephen Dunne) — supporting

  Ghostwriter hired to help Doll Face craft her autobiography. Pledges financial backing for the Broadway show. Travels to Jamaica with Doll Face for revisions, resulting in a stranded island incident....

Canonical Relationships

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

• Chita Chula → Mary Elizabeth 'Doll Face' Carroll (Professional Fellow Performer) — Chita's livelihood is directly affected by Doll Face's career plans.

  Chita performs in the same burlesque show and warns that Doll Face's departure could cause the theater to close.

• Mary Elizabeth 'Doll Face' Carroll → Frederick Manly Gerard (Professional Client-Ghostwriter) — Frederick helps transform Doll Face's public image through the book.

  Mike hires Frederick as a ghostwriter, and Frederick helps Doll Face complete her autobiography through final revisions.

• Mary Elizabeth 'Doll Face' Carroll → Michael Francis 'Mike' Hannegan (Romantic Fiancé) — Their engagement is central to the emotional conflict and final reconciliation.

  The plot identifies Mike as Doll Face's manager and fiancé. Their relationship breaks down after Mike misreads her situation with Frederick, but they...

Story Dynamics

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

• Chita Chula → Michael Francis 'Mike' Hannegan (Conflict Skeptical Associate) — Chita challenges Mike's confidence and resents his comparison.

  Chita doubts that Mike's Broadway project can succeed and takes offense when he says she might become another Carmen Miranda.

• Michael Francis 'Mike' Hannegan → Frederick Manly Gerard (Alliance Financial Partner) — Frederick supports Mike's production financially despite later emotional tension.

  Frederick offers to provide any money missing from Mike's Broadway production budget.

Story Analysis

A burlesque entertainer pursues respectability and Broadway success while navigating professional ambition, jealousy, separation, and reconciliation.

Plot Progression

1. A Literate New Image — Doll Face fails to escape her burlesque reputation. Mike proposes an autobiography and hires Frederick to help create a more respectable public image.
2. Broadway Beneath the Publicity — Chita warns that Doll Face's departure may destroy the Gaiety Theatre. Mike responds by planning a Broadway production funded by the performers and supported by Frederick.
3. Stranded Between Alliances — Doll Face insists on publishing the book and travels with Frederick for final revisions. Their boat breaks down, and Mike's mistaken interpretation ends his engagement with Doll Face.
4. The Cost of Separation — The Gaiety Theatre closes after losing its headliner. Doll Face publishes The Genius DeMilo with Frederick's dedication, while Mike realizes that he regrets leaving her.
5. A Partnership Reborn — Mike tries to halt Doll Face's opening-night show through their contract. He asks forgiveness, and Doll Face restores both their relationship and his role in the production.