Character Relationship Map: Hell Divers

Characters

• "Windy" Riker (played by Wallace Beery) — protagonist

  A veteran Navy Helldiver gunner and longtime leading chief of Fighting Squadron One, Windy loses his champion-gunner title to Steve and struggles with the prospect of retirement. His pranks and fights...

• Steve Nelson (played by Clark Gable) — protagonist

  A young chief petty officer who joins Fighting Squadron One and surpasses Windy as its champion machine gunner, Steve becomes a hero by securing a bomb that failed to release. He is Windy's rival and...

• Duke Johnson (played by Conrad Nagel) — supporting

  A lieutenant and second-in-command of Fighting Squadron One, Duke agrees that Steve is the strongest candidate to replace Windy. He later takes command after Griffin is injured and flies with Windy to...

• Ann Mitchell (played by Dorothy Jordan) — supporting

  Ann is Steve Nelson's sweetheart and fiancée. When Steve proposes, Windy tricks her by paying Lulu to pose as Steve's outraged lover; Ann leaves upset and refuses to hear Steve's denials. Windy later...

• Captain - U.S.S Saratoga (played by Alan Roscoe) — supporting

  The captain of the Saratoga disciplines Windy after Windy steals a boat to catch up with the carrier. The captain reduces Windy one rate from chief; Windy is subsequently reduced to Aviation Machinist...

• Lulu (played by Marie Prevost) — supporting

  Lulu is an old acquaintance of Windy's whom he bribes to pretend to be Steve's outraged lover. Windy uses the practical joke because he wants to get even with Steve, but he does not realize that Ann i...

• Mame Kelsey (played by Marjorie Rambeau) — supporting

  Mame is a woman in Panama with whom Windy hopes to settle down after retirement. She knows Steve and encounters him on the dock, where they share a carriage. Mame tries to persuade Steve to reconcile...

• Lt. Cmdr. Jack Griffin (played by John Miljan) — supporting

  Griffin is the skipper of Fighting Squadron One. He intervenes when local police charge Windy with wrecking a Turkish bath, saving him from arrest. After a nighttime mid-air collision leaves him with...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Captain - U.S.S Saratoga → "Windy" Riker (Power Disciplinary Authority) — The captain formally punishes Windy's unauthorized actions.

  The captain reduces Windy one rate and disciplines him at Captain's Mast for leaving his post, going absent without leave, and missing the ship.

• Mame Kelsey → "Windy" Riker (Romantic Interest) — Mame is Windy's intended future partner and a practical supporter during his crisis.

  Windy wants to settle down with Mame after retirement, and she bails him out of jail in Panama.

• Steve Nelson → Ann Mitchell (Romantic Fiance) — Their engagement is threatened by Windy's practical joke and later supported by Windy's confession.

  Steve proposes marriage to Ann, and the plot identifies Ann as Steve's fiancée.

• Lt. Cmdr. Jack Griffin → Duke Johnson (Professional Command Partner) — They jointly manage squadron leadership and succession decisions.

  Griffin and his second-in-command, Duke, agree that Steve is the best candidate to replace Windy as he considers retirement.

• "Windy" Riker → Duke Johnson (Professional Commander And Gunner) — Their military roles shift from superior and subordinate to operational partners.

  Duke becomes commander of Fighting One after Griffin's retirement, and Windy becomes his gunner when the squadron flies to the ship.

Story Dynamics

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

• Steve Nelson → Lulu (Conflict False Lover) — Lulu's staged identity creates a false romantic conflict around Steve.

  Lulu pretends to be Steve's outraged lover, leading Ann to believe Steve has betrayed her.

• "Windy" Riker → Lulu (Alliance Paid Accomplice) — Lulu assists Windy's deception for payment.

  Windy bribes Lulu to pretend to be Steve's outraged lover as part of his practical joke.

• "Windy" Riker → Ann Mitchell (Conflict Deceiver) — Windy's revenge temporarily damages Steve and Ann's relationship.

  Windy bribes Lulu to pretend to be Steve's outraged lover, causing Ann to leave upset and refuse Steve's denials.

• Lt. Cmdr. Jack Griffin → "Windy" Riker (Alliance Protector) — Griffin uses his authority to shield Windy from immediate arrest.

  Griffin intervenes on Windy's behalf when local police charge him with wrecking a Turkish bath.

• Steve Nelson → Mame Kelsey (Social Acquaintance) — Their acquaintance allows Mame to mediate the conflict between Steve and Windy.

  Steve knows Mame, encounters her on the dock, and shares her carriage in Panama.

• "Windy" Riker → Steve Nelson (Conflict Rival) — Their professional competition develops into personal resentment before becoming mutual loyalty.

  Steve takes Windy's five-year title as champion machine gunner, and their friendly rivalry turns bitter after the bombing accident.

Story Analysis

A proud naval gunner's rivalry, recklessness, and final sacrifice transform competition into comradeship.

Plot Progression

1. A Rival Enters the Squadron — Veteran gunner Windy Riker faces the arrival of Steve Nelson, who takes his celebrated machine-gunnery title. Their rivalry intensifies through training, a dangerous bombing accident, and Windy's rese...
2. Pranks and Broken Command — Steve's heroism deepens Windy's insecurity, while Windy's deception involving Lulu drives Ann away from Steve. Griffin's disabling collision then transfers squadron command to Duke.
3. Disgrace in Panama — Windy's missing code book costs him liberty, and his attempt to see Mame ends in a brawl and imprisonment. He chases the Saratoga by boat and is publicly reduced in rank.
4. Fogbound Redemption — A mock battle strands Steve, Duke, and Windy after a crash, leaving the injured men dependent on Windy's flying experience. Windy risks everything to return them to the carrier and finally earns emoti...