Character Relationship Map: Fever Pitch

Characters

• Taggart (played by Ryan O'Neal) — protagonist

  Sports writer who investigates compulsive gambling under the pseudonym Mr. Green, only to become deeply addicted himself. He accumulates severe debts, faces threats from loan sharks, struggles with ad...

• Flo (played by Catherine Hicks) — supporting

  A glamorous casino cocktail hostess in Las Vegas who is assigned to Taggart's hotel room. She accompanies him to the Dunes Hotel casino, where she acts as his lucky charm during a successful roulette...

• Charley (played by Giancarlo Giannini) — supporting

  A high-roller in Las Vegas whom Taggart approaches to help him win a large score to break even on his gambling debts and to settle his issues with the loan shark enforcer Panama Hat.

• Amy (played by Bridgette Andersen) — supporting

  Taggart's young daughter who accompanies him to Hollywood Park racetrack. Her well-being is a primary motivation for Taggart to resolve his gambling debts, leading him to secure a portion of his winni...

• Dutchman (played by Chad Everett) — supporting

  A ruthless Los Angeles bookmaker and loan shark who extends credit to Taggart and other figures. He aggressively pursues Taggart to collect his mounting gambling debts.

• Sports Editor (played by John Saxon) — supporting

  Taggart's sports editor who supports and promotes his investigative Mr. Green gambling series. He is oblivious to Taggart's personal downfall, even advancing him $10,000 for the project, which ironica...

• Vegas Sun Publisher (played by Hank Greenspun) — supporting

  A prominent Las Vegas media figure whom Taggart interviews to gain deeper insights into the local gambling industry while researching his newspaper series.

• Sweeney (played by Keith Hefner) — supporting

  An MGM Grand casino executive who facilitates Taggart's introduction to the glamorous casino cocktail hostess Flo.

• Panama Hat (played by William Smith) — supporting

  The violent enforcer for the Dutchman who monitors Taggart in Las Vegas. He delivers direct threats and commands Taggart to return to Los Angeles to pay his gambling debts.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Taggart → Vegas Sun Publisher (Professional Interview Subject And Reporter) — Their contact supports Taggart's reporting on the local gambling industry.

  While researching the Las Vegas gambling world, Taggart meets and seeks insights from the Vegas Sun publisher.

• Taggart → Sweeney (Professional Industry Contact) — Sweeney connects Taggart with Flo during his Las Vegas reporting.

  The plot identifies Sweeney as an MGM Grand casino executive through whom Taggart meets Flo.

• Taggart → Sports Editor (Professional Writer And Editor) — The editor supports Taggart's reporting, unknowingly providing money that fuels his gambling.

  Taggart volunteers to write a gambling series, and his sports editor assigns it. The editor later praises the series and advances Taggart $10,000 for...

• Dutchman → Panama Hat (Professional Employer And Enforcer) — Panama Hat carries out the Dutchman's debt-collection pressure.

  The plot identifies Panama Hat as the Dutchman's enforcer and says he orders Taggart to return to Los Angeles and settle his debt.

• Taggart → Amy (Family Father And Daughter) — Taggart's concern for his daughter becomes a reason to protect part of his winnings.

  The plot identifies Amy as Taggart's young daughter. He takes her to Hollywood Park and later asks that part of his winnings be placed in a trust fund...

Story Dynamics

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

• Taggart → Charley (Social Gambling Associate) — Taggart looks to Charley while pursuing a risky attempt to recover his losses.

  Taggart becomes increasingly acquainted with high-roller Charley Peru, hoping to make a large score and break even.

• Taggart → Flo (Social Acquaintances) — Flo accompanies Taggart during a successful casino visit.

  Taggart meets Flo, a casino cocktail hostess, through Frank Sweeney. Flo is sent to his hotel room, and she accompanies him to the Dunes casino, where...

• Taggart → Panama Hat (Conflict Debtor And Threatening Enforcer) — Panama Hat's threats make Taggart's gambling debt an immediate personal danger.

  Panama Hat follows Taggart in Las Vegas and orders him to return to Los Angeles to pay the Dutchman.

• Taggart → Dutchman (Conflict Debtor And Loan Shark) — The Dutchman's collection efforts intensify the danger created by Taggart's gambling.

  Taggart's gambling losses leave him deeply in debt to the Dutchman, a Los Angeles bookmaker and loan shark who pursues him for payment.

Story Analysis

A sportswriter's investigation into compulsive gambling becomes a personal struggle with debt, danger, and the hope of protecting his daughter.

Plot Progression

1. The Gambler Behind Mr. Green — Taggart pitches a series about a compulsive gambler while concealing that the subject is himself. Its readership grows as his own gambling and debts worsen.
2. Las Vegas Field Notes — Taggart travels to Las Vegas to report on the gambling business, meeting industry contacts and Flo. His casino win offers a brief, tempting success as the Dutchman's enforcer closes in.
3. Debt Enters Family Life — Taggart spends time with Amy and visits Hollywood Park, where a creditor assaults him. His editor's advance appears to support the reporting but adds money to Taggart's gambling cycle.
4. A Promise Tested by Luck — Taggart visits Gamblers Anonymous and resolves to stop gambling, yet still hopes for a large recovery. A slot-machine jackpot revives his luck, and he arranges to protect some winnings for Amy.