Belle of the Nineties

Ruby Carter is a glamorous vaudeville star and the headliner at a St. Louis nightclub in the early 1890s. She is romantically involved with the Tiger Kid and uses her wit to protect their relationship from schemes around him. When faced with a setup to drive them apart, she orchestrates a counter-move to safeguard her career and love. Her resourcefulness helps expose deception and leads to a lasting union.

A formidable prizefighter whose pride and loyalty drive much of the plot. He is manipulated by pressures around him and drawn into a staged robbery that tests his trust in Ruby. He fights with determination in the ring and, after confronting the instigator, kills Lamont in a moment of justice. Ultimately, the truth comes out and he and Ruby marry.

Molly Brant is a social figure connected with Ace Lamont, the club owner, and is repeatedly disregarded by him. She represents the glamorous yet morally compromised world surrounding the Sensation House. Her presence underscores the tensions between desire, power, and control within the high-society environment.

Ace Lamont is the owner of the Sensation House and the principal manipulator behind the plot. He pressures the Tiger Kid into a staged robbery and plans to flee with Ruby after destroying the club and stealing the safe. His schemes are exposed, and he is confronted in the climactic sequence.

Duke Ellington appears as the pianist at the Sensation House, providing musical ambiance that enriches the club’s lively atmosphere and helps set the period mood. His presence underscores the integration of prominent musical talent into the film’s vaudeville world.

Jasmine serves as Ruby’s loyal maid, aiding in preparation and logistics as Ruby navigates the dangerous plot. She helps with the escape plan and supports the household during the club’s turmoil.

Stogie is Ruby’s agent, embedded in the backstage world of the Sensation House. He helps manage Ruby’s career and the shifting loyalties that drive the plot’s twists.