Now and Forever

A carefree, impulsive man who schemes to pay a hotel bill, leveraging charm and risky gambles. His love for Pennie reveals a capacity for responsibility beyond his con tricks. Over the course of the story, he shifts from deception to a commitment to honesty, motivated by family.

Jerry's second wife, practical and bold, who accompanies him on a cosmopolitan journey and assumes a maternal role for Pennie. She confronts Jerry's schemes with resolve and pushes for stability and honesty within the family. Her choices help steer the family toward reconciliation.

A five-year-old girl whose trust in her father motivates the central moral conflict. Her faith in Jerry complicates the adults’ decisions and becomes a catalyst for change. The teddy bear necklace episode marks a turning point in the pursuit of truth.

A wealthy socialite who forms a protective bond with Pennie and contemplates adoption. She hosts the Paris party that frames the necklace plot and ultimately agrees to lie to shield the child, illustrating the tension between social appearances and genuine care.

A slick con artist who manipulates Jerry with promises of easy money and a phony check. He drives the central crime by pressuring Jerry into stealing the necklace and escalating the danger. His presence intensifies the moral stakes of the narrative.

A Shanghai hotel manager who oversees guests and the social dynamics of the Day party circuit. He helps set the early mood of luxury and risk that propels Jerry's escapades.

Another hotel manager encountered in the Shanghai setting, contributing to the bustling, transnational hotel environment. His presence reinforces the film’s backdrop of international travel and social maneuvering.