Tracy Samantha Lord
"You have a good mind, a pretty face, a disciplined body that does what you tell it to. You have everything it takes to make a lovely woman except the one essential: an understanding heart. And without that you might just as well be made of bronze."
- Affectionate Nickname / In-Series Nickname: Dexter generally addresses her as "Red" and it's a sign of affection.
- Break the Haughty: Her character arc in the movie is to go through a wringer and thus become more tolerant of "human frailty".
- Can't Hold Her Liquor: Even champagne hits her quite hard, making her behave impulsively and then wiping her memory clean.
- Cool Big Sis: Dinah obviously looks up to her.
- Gaussian Girl: She is usually depicted through a much hazier lens than the male characters, as was typical to the era.
- Well Done Daughter Girl: Turns out to be one, wishing to win the approval of her father. It's part of her Break the Haughty process.
C. K. Dexter Haven
"I thought all writers drank to excess and beat their wives. You know at one time I think I secretly wanted to be a writer."
- The Alcoholic: Used to have a drinking problem. Is now firmly on the wagon and does not drink.
- Composite Character: In the play, his lines were split between two characters — himself and Tracy's brother Sandy.
- Rich Suitor, Poor Suitor: Along with George, he's the rich to Mike's poor.
- The Teetotaler: Of the recovering alcoholic variety.
Macaulay ("Mike") Connor
Tracy: Snob.
Mike: Say, what do you mean, 'snob'?
Tracy: You're the worst kind there is, an intellectual snob. You made up your mind awfully young, it seems to me.
Mike: Well thirty's about time to make up your mind. And I'm nothing of the sort, not Mr. Connor.
- Fish out of Water: Upon his arrival at the Lord residence, he looks extremely awed by his posh surroundings, though he tries to hide it. Throughout the movie, he frequently picks up items just to goggle at their luxuriousness.
- Oblivious to Love: He shows no awareness that Liz has any kind of feeling for him, despite getting several broad hints from multiple quarters over the course of the film.
- Rich Suitor, Poor Suitor: The poor, to George and Dexter's rich ones.
- Sugar-and-Ice Personality: Tracy correctly figures out that he's sweet and sensitive on the inside, and his overt cynicism is merely a façade he hides behind.
Elizabeth ("Liz") Imbrie
"I can't afford to hate anyone; I'm only a photographer."
- Girl Friday: To Mike. She's always handy to take a photo for his article or type up his exposé of their boss.
George Kittredge
"George. Splendid chap, George. Very high morals. Very broad shoulders."
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: He reveals a mean side when he catches Tracy in another man's arms.
- Disposable Fiancé: In the grand tradition of romantic comedies, he's a rigid bore, and it's pretty obvious from the beginning of the movie that Tracy won't end up with him.
- Green-Eyed Monster: He jumps to largely unwarranted conclusions upon seeing Tracy in Mike's arms.
- Self-Made Man: Started out as a coal miner and worked his way up to general manager.
- Social Climber: Shows hints of this; after Tracy's drunken escapades, he's suspicious and even threatens to call off the wedding—but he is quickly ready to resume when he hears that Sydney Kidd has arrived, he believes to cover the ceremony.
Diana ("Dinah") Lord
"I can tell there is something in the air because I'm being taken away."
- Little Miss Snarker: So many quips from such a small girl.
- Mouthy Kid: She's very blunt and her mother often chides her for using crass language.
- Shipper on Deck: She tries to get Tracy to marry Mike in the second half of the film.
