Character Relationship Map: Varsity

Characters

• Jimmy Duffy (played by Charles 'Buddy' Rogers) — protagonist

  A freshman from an orphanage who thrives at Princeton and becomes an honor student. He falls in with a hard-drinking crowd, falls in love with Fay, and is falsely accused of gambling away student fund...

• Fay (played by Mary Brian) — protagonist

  A kind-hearted showgirl Jimmy meets during a drunken carnival night in Trenton. She helps him avoid serious trouble, and the two begin a romance. After Jimmy is accused of gambling away college funds,...

• Pop Conlan (played by Chester Conklin) — supporting

  Princeton's beloved janitor, secretly Jimmy's father, who concealed their relationship and let Jimmy believe his father was dead. Struggling with alcohol, Pop nevertheless watches over and guides Jimm...

• Middlebrook (played by Phillips Holmes) — supporting

  A Princeton classmate of Jimmy who is named as part of the hard-drinking crowd Jimmy begins keeping company with. His association with that crowd provides context for Jimmy's growing concern and event...

• Rod Luke (played by Robert Ellis) — supporting

  A Princeton classmate of Jimmy who is named among the hard-drinking crowd Jimmy begins spending time with. His presence helps establish the company surrounding Jimmy as his drinking worsens, but the p...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Jimmy Duffy → Fay (Romantic Partners) — Their relationship develops from a chance meeting into marriage.

  Jimmy meets Fay during the carnival night, a romance blossoms between them, and they marry after his graduation.

• Pop Conlan → Jimmy Duffy (Family Father) — Pop is Jimmy's hidden biological father.

  The plot states that Pop Conlan is secretly Jimmy Duffy's father. Pop concealed the relationship and allowed Jimmy to believe his father was dead.

Story Dynamics

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

• Pop Conlan → Fay (Narrative Confidant) — Fay becomes the only person shown to share Pop's secret.

  Fay senses that Pop is Jimmy's father, and Pop quietly confirms her suspicion while swearing her to silence.

• Jimmy Duffy → Rod Luke (Social Drinking Companion) — Rod is one of Jimmy's classmates in the risky drinking circle.

  Rod Luke is named among the classmates in the hard-drinking crowd surrounding Jimmy.

• Jimmy Duffy → Middlebrook (Social Drinking Companion) — Middlebrook is part of the social circle that contributes to Jimmy's reckless behavior.

  Jimmy begins keeping company with a hard-drinking crowd that includes Middlebrook.

Story Analysis

A hidden father's sacrifices guide his troubled son toward love, vindication, and a secure future.

Plot Progression

1. A Father Behind the Broom — Jimmy arrives at Princeton from an orphanage while Pop secretly watches over him. Pop's hidden fatherhood and personal struggles shape his quiet devotion.
2. Honor Meets Recklessness — Jimmy succeeds academically but begins associating with a hard-drinking crowd. A wild carnival night introduces him to Fay, who helps him avoid serious trouble.
3. The Missing College Funds — Jimmy takes responsibility for collecting student money, then quarrels with Fay and resumes drinking during Pop's absence. He wakes to an accusation that he gambled away the funds.
4. The Cost of Clearing His Name — Pop intervenes, and Fay joins the effort to prove Jimmy's innocence. Pop is seriously injured, while Jimmy risks his own reputation trying to protect him.
5. A Secret Joyful Farewell — Jimmy is exonerated, graduates, and marries Fay without learning Pop's identity. Fay discovers the truth, but Pop keeps the secret as the newlyweds depart.