Character Relationship Map: S.O.B.

Characters

• Sally Miles (played by Julie Andrews) — protagonist

  An Oscar-winning actress with a wholesome public image who becomes the reluctant star of her estranged husband's softcore pornographic musical remake, eventually winning critical acclaim for the revis...

• Tim Culley (played by William Holden) — protagonist

  A film director and one of Felix's closest confidants who, along with his friends, indulges in hedonistic parties at Felix's estate and later orchestrates a defiant Viking funeral to honor him.

• David Blackman (played by Robert Vaughn) — supporting
• Herb Maskowitz (played by Robert Loggia) — supporting

  A shrewd Hollywood attorney who represents both Sally Miles and Capitol Studios, using his dual position to secure a distribution deal that ultimately severs Felix's control over his film.

• Ben Coogan (played by Robert Webber) — minor
• Capitol Studios Vice-President (played by John Pleshette) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• David Blackman → Capitol Studios Vice-President (Power President) — David occupies the studio's highest stated executive position in the plot.

  David Blackman is explicitly identified as the president of Capitol Studios.

• Ben Coogan → Sally Miles (Professional Publicity Associate) — Ben's profession places him within the publicity machinery surrounding Sally and the film.

  Ben Coogan is identified as a press agent, and the revised film's prospects depend on Hollywood buzz surrounding Sally's participation.

• Tim Culley → Sally Miles (Professional Associate) — They are connected through the production of the failed and remade film.

  Tim is a film director, while Sally is the star of Night Wind and its revised version.

• Sally Miles → David Blackman (Power Studio Negotiator) — David represents the studio power structure that gains leverage over Sally's film.

  David Blackman is the president of Capitol Studios, and Sally's distribution agreement grants the studio rights to distribute and edit Night Wind.

• Sally Miles → Herb Maskowitz (Professional Attorney-Client) — Herb uses his legal representation of Sally to influence the film's distribution and weaken Felix's control.

  Herb Maskowitz is identified as Sally Miles's attorney and persuades her to sign a distribution deal with Capitol Studios.

Story Dynamics

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

• Sally Miles → Capitol Studios Vice-President (Conflict Contractual Counterparty) — Her agreement advances the studio's interests while removing creative and financial control from the production's original owner.

  Sally signs a deal with Capitol Studios to distribute Night Wind, giving the studio the right to edit the film.

• Tim Culley → Ben Coogan (Alliance Close Comrade) — They cooperate in both the chaotic beach-house period and the funeral scheme.

  Tim Culley and Ben Coogan are two of the three close friends who occupy the Malibu beach house and later work together to honor their fallen friend.

• Herb Maskowitz → David Blackman (Alliance Business Ally) — Their institutional interests align around securing Capitol's control over the revised film.

  Herb's law firm represents both Sally Miles and Capitol Studios, while David Blackman leads Capitol Studios during the distribution dispute.

Story Analysis

A satirical Hollywood tragedy examines how commercial success, sexuality, publicity, and grief transform personal catastrophe into entertainment.

Plot Progression

1. Hollywood Failure Unmasked — The film opens with a flamboyant Hollywood performance before revealing the catastrophic failure of Night Wind. The collapse damages the producer's sanity and marriage to Sally Miles.
2. Chaos at the Beach House — Repeated suicide attempts fail while close friends occupy the Malibu beach house. Their party turns hedonistic, creating a comic contrast with the producer's crisis.
3. The Erotic Rebirth — A sudden sexual epiphany inspires a plan to remake Night Wind as an erotic musical. David Blackman sells the film rights, and Sally is pressured to accept a topless role.
4. Control Through Contracts — The remake generates Hollywood excitement, but Capitol Studios seeks control of the profitable project. Herb Maskowitz uses his dual representation to guide Sally toward a distribution agreement.
5. A Funeral Against Hollywood — The attempt to reclaim the film negatives ends in a fatal police shooting. Tim Culley and Ben Coogan replace the official funeral with a private Viking farewell, while the remake succeeds and Sally wi...