Character Relationship Map: Speed

Characters

• Terry Martin (played by James Stewart) — protagonist

  Terry is an auto mechanic and chief car tester at Emery Motors who is developing a revolutionary carburetor in his spare time. His rivalry with trained engineer Frank and his romance with Jane shape t...

• Jane Mitchell (played by Wendy Barrie) — protagonist

  Jane works in Emery Motors' publicity department and is attracted to Terry despite his insecurity about his lack of formal education. She persuades Mr. Dean to fund Terry's carburetor project with Fra...

• Frank Lawson (played by Weldon Heyburn) — supporting

  Frank is a trained automotive engineer and Terry's professional rival, as well as a rival for Jane's attention. He joins Terry's carburetor project and insists their car is ready for the Indianapolis...

• Clarence Maxmillian 'Gadget' Haggerty (played by Ted Healy) — supporting

  Gadget is Terry's fellow in-car riding mechanic and helps him work through problems with the new carburetor. He rides in the car during the Indianapolis 500 test, where the crash nearly kills him. His...

• Mr. Dean (played by Ralph Morgan) — supporting

  Mr. Dean is a vice president at Emery Motors. At Jane's request, he arranges company financing for Terry's carburetor work, provided that Frank is added to the team. His decision brings the two rival...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Frank Lawson → Clarence Maxmillian 'Gadget' Haggerty (Professional Project Teammates) — They are part of the same carburetor project, though the plot gives them no separate personal interaction.

  Frank is added to the team working on Terry's carburetor, which Gadget tests as the riding mechanic.

• Jane Mitchell → Mr. Dean (Professional Company Allies) — Jane works with Mr. Dean to secure company backing for the project.

  Jane arranges with company vice president Mr. Dean for Emery to finance the carburetor project.

• Terry Martin → Jane Mitchell (Romantic Interest) — Their romance is strained by Terry's jealousy and insecurity before resolving in their favor.

  Jane is attracted to Terry, and the story concludes with Terry winning her affection.

Story Dynamics

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

• Terry Martin → Clarence Maxmillian 'Gadget' Haggerty (Alliance Testing Teammates) — Gadget rides with Terry during testing and is endangered in the Indianapolis crash.

  The plot says Terry works out the carburetor's problems with his fellow in-car riding mechanic Gadget.

• Terry Martin → Frank Lawson (Conflict Rival) — Personal and professional rivalry complicates their work on the carburetor.

  Frank competes with Terry for Jane's attention, and Terry resents implications that Frank's formal engineering training makes him more knowledgeable a...

Story Analysis

An inventive but insecure mechanic pursues recognition and love through dangerous automotive tests, while the people around him help bring his design to success.

Plot Progression

1. An Inventor Under Pressure — Terry develops a carburetor while struggling with his resentment of Frank's training and rivalry for Jane's attention. His behavior at a company dance nearly costs him his job.
2. The Indianapolis Crash — Jane secures company financing, with Frank required to join Terry's project. The team's Indianapolis test ends in a crash that injures Terry and nearly kills Gadget, deepening Terry's anger and romant...
3. Jane Restores the Project — While Terry recovers, Jane fights to keep the carburetor project funded after the board suspends support. Her status as the owner's niece and heiress enables her to reverse the decision.
4. The Record Run — At Muroc Dry Lake, Terry tests a new record car and proves his carburetor design works. A cracked fuel pipe fills the cockpit with fumes and leaves Terry severely injured.
5. A Rescue and Vindication — Frank races the injured Terry to the Muroc hospital, completing the record run in the process. Terry is vindicated and ends the story with Jane.