Mandalay

A Russian refugee who arrives penniless in Rangoon and becomes a nightclub hostess under the names Spot White and later Marjorie Lang. She weathers danger and coercion while seeking a path to a decent life with Dr. Burton, wrestling with survival instincts and moral aspiration.

Tanya’s lover who abandons her after a gunrunning deal with Nick. He resists stepping away from crime but later pursues Tanya again, ultimately meeting his end in the steamer’s cabin.

An alcoholic physician en route to help fight a deadly fever. He seeks atonement for a past mistake and finds a potential future with Tanya as they plan a new life together.

Owner of a sleazy Rangoon nightclub and gunrunner who intends to use Tanya as his main hostess, exploiting her desperate circumstances for profit.

A steamer captain who navigates the crisis aboard and initially suspects Tanya of murder, before the evidence points to suicide and she is freed to continue toward Mandalay.

The Rangoon police authority who orders Tanya’s deportation as her notoriety grows, highlighting the clash between crime, law, and public order.

A military figure representing disciplined authority encountered in the broader network of influence around Tanya’s journey.

A professor involved in the intellectual milieu of the story, whose presence contrasts science with the characters’ more morally risky choices.

Wife of Prof. Kleinschmidt, part of the social fabric around the central figures and a witness to the unfolding moral drama.

A passenger and husband to Mrs. Peters, part of the travel-weary social circle Tanya encounters on the journey.

A fellow passenger who offers social commentary on Tanya’s actions and the evolving drama surrounding the group.

A passenger encountered aboard the steamer, adding to the film’s diverse world of travelers and performers.

A guest on the journey whose presence frames the social milieu and draws out key interactions among the ensemble.