Character Relationship Map: Sinners' Holiday

Characters

• Jennie (played by Evalyn Knapp) — protagonist

  Daughter of Mrs. Delano and Angel's love interest. She secretly witnesses her brother Harry shooting Mitch on the pier. Despite the trauma, she bravely tells the police the truth to protect Angel, whi...

• Mrs. Delano (played by Lucille La Verne) — supporting

  Runs a penny arcade on Coney Island with her children. She strongly disapproves of Harry's secret involvement in bootlegging. After Harry kills Mitch, she attempts to cover it up by framing Angel, but...

• Mitch (played by Warren Hymer) — supporting

  Operates a clandestine bootlegging business beneath the arcade while doubling as a sideshow operator. He attempts to flirt with Jennie but is rebuffed by Angel. After his arrest, he is betrayed by Har...

• Detective Sikes (played by Purnell Pratt) — supporting

  Detective Sikes arrives to take Mitch into custody and later investigates Mitch's shooting at Buck's establishment. As those present discuss Mitch's movements and the party he failed to attend, Sikes...

• Harry Delano (played by James Cagney) — supporting

  Son of Mrs. Delano who secretly joins Mitch's bootlegging operation against his mother's wishes. After Mitch's arrest, Harry takes over the business and pockets the money. When Mitch returns to confro...

• Myrtle (played by Joan Blondell) — supporting

  Myrtle is someone Harry arranges to meet while trying to maintain appearances and make excuses for his absences from his mother. The summary establishes her connection to Harry but gives no further in...

• Buck (played by Noel Madison) — minor

  Buck is associated with the establishment where Mitch is later found shot dead. He tells Harry that Mitch is out and wants to see him, prompting Harry to insist he can smooth things over. The summary...

• Joe Delano (played by Ray Gallagher) — minor

  Joe is one of Mrs. Delano's children. His gun becomes central to the murder plot when Harry confesses that he took it from Angel's bag and used it to shoot Mitch. Harry hid the weapon beneath his matt...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Harry Delano → Mrs. Delano (Family Son And Mother) — Harry's confession places Mrs. Delano in a painful choice between insisting he face the consequences and helping him conceal the weapon.

  Harry confesses to his mother, Mrs. Delano, that he shot Mitch and asks her to help him escape.

Story Dynamics

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

• Mitch → Jennie (Conflict Unwanted Flirtation) — Mitch's flirtation with Jennie is unwanted and is thwarted by Angel.

  The character profile states that Mitch attempts to flirt with Jennie, but she is rebuffed from his advances through Angel's intervention.

• Harry Delano → Joe Delano (Conflict Uses His Gun) — Harry takes and uses Joe's gun in the killing, making Joe's weapon part of the murder cover-up.

  Harry admits that he used Joe's gun to shoot Mitch.

• Harry Delano → Myrtle (Social Acquaintances Meeting) — Harry arranges a meeting with Myrtle during the period when he is concealing his criminal involvement from his mother.

  Harry makes arrangements to meet Myrtle while trying to maintain appearances.

• Harry Delano → Buck (Social Informant) — Buck conveys Mitch's return and demand to meet, putting Harry on notice of the confrontation.

  Buck tells Harry that Mitch is out and wants to see him.

• Mitch → Detective Sikes (Conflict Arresting Officer) — Sikes arrests Mitch, disrupting the liquor business and creating the opportunity for Harry to take over.

  Detective Sikes arrives to take Mitch in, and Mitch is later described as released.

• Harry Delano → Mitch (Conflict Business Partner Turned Killer) — Their criminal business relationship turns into betrayal and lethal conflict when Harry kills Mitch.

  Harry becomes involved in Mitch's liquor business, then cuts in on the business; after Mitch returns to confront him, Harry shoots him.

Story Analysis

A bootlegging betrayal leads to murder, a family confession, and an unresolved attempt to conceal the weapon.

Plot Progression

1. The Palace's Hidden Business — Mitch runs the Palace of Joy and draws Harry into the liquor racket. When Mitch is arrested, he entrusts Harry with keeping the business running, while concern grows about the consequences for Mrs. De...
2. A Betrayal Takes Shape — After Mitch's release, he discovers that Harry and an associate have cut into his business. Harry hides his absences from his mother and attempts to keep up appearances as Mitch demands to see him.
3. The Killing and Investigation — Buck tells Harry that Mitch is out and wants to see him. Mitch is later found shot dead at Buck's establishment, and Detective Sikes investigates while people discuss the circumstances.
4. A Confession and a Choice — Harry admits to his mother that he shot Mitch and identifies the gun he used and where he hid it. Mrs. Delano first tells him to face the consequences, then agrees to help him retrieve the weapon.