John Loves Mary

John Lawrence is a returning GI who initiates the scheme to marry Lilly as a means to facilitate her move to the U.S. and later divorce. He is principled, resisting special treatment even under pressure to hurry the wedding. His efforts reveal his inner conflict between loyalty to Mary and his obligation to Lilly, culminating in a confession.

Mary is a devoted fiancée whose wedding is jeopardized by the elaborate deception. She grows distraught when she fears John does not love her, and she fights to secure a future she believes in. Her emotional arc centers on trust, heartbreak, and resilience.

An English war bride brought into the plan to enable her immigration, Lilly becomes a focal point of the marriage scheme. She reveals she was married to Victor and, though entangled in the ruse, seeks a straightforward path to happiness. Her revelations unravel the deceit and free the characters to pursue true loves.

John's old friend who helps execute the scheme to delay the wedding. He facilitates the plan by coordinating with Victor and managing the setup. Fred's actions drive the plot's comic misunderstandings and moral quandaries.

A former lieutenant recruited to pretend to order John to Reno. He is reluctant and often inebriated, reflecting the casual, farcical nature of the ruse. Victor's eventual reprieve comes when Lilly reveals her marriage to him, breaking the invalidity of John’s union to Lilly.

The general who is asked to intervene but refuses to grant special treatment. He represents authority and the ethical boundaries that the characters confront when trying to bend rules for personal ends.

Mary's father and a powerful senator who pushes for marrying immediately, leveraging his political influence. His stance embodies the public pressure and traditional expectations surrounding marriage and propriety.

Mary's mother, involved in the wedding plans and the family drama. She navigates the tension between public appearances and her daughter's happiness, reflecting societal expectations of women in that era.

A minor social figure observed in Pelican Club scenes, representing the era's social milieu and the eyes of the community on the couple's plans.

A minor supporting character in the ensemble cast; the summary does not detail his role, but he participates in the club and social scenes typical of the film’s setting.

A character in the broader social orbit of the story; the summary does not specify his actions, but he contributes to the film’s ensemble dynamic and the social backdrop of the plot.