The Admiral Was a Lady

The former head of an employment agency turned night watchman, Jimmy leads the 52-20 crew with a mix of grit and responsibility. He shelters his men and treads a line between clever exploitation and genuine care. His guilt over Mike's war injuries motivates him to resolve the crew's tangled affairs, and he harbors a deep love for the Admiral.

A war veteran whose injuries haunt him, Mike is the crew's steady force and symbol of sacrifice. He accepts the risks of their schemes, often deferring to Jimmy, yet his wellbeing is a constant concern for the group. His setback and care motivate Jimmy to step into a dangerous role, including taking Mike's place in a boxing match.

A resourceful veteran who crafts furniture from war surplus, Eddie embodies the group's make-do creativity. He remains practical and hopeful, intending to return home and prove his worth. His acts of ingenuity contrast with the larger schemes surrounding the Admiral and the 52-20 Club.

The so-called 'Jukebox King' who uses a private detective to spy on Jean, Pedigrew schemes to reunite Henry with Jean to exploit Shirley's fortune anew. He finances and manipulates events to keep his business afloat, showing how charisma can mask calculated greed.

Henry's intended wife and Pedigrew's ex-wife, she is described as 'beautifully wicked' and uses charm to influence events. Her pursuit of money and status strains loyalties within the group and complicates Jean's decisions.

Former taxi driver who drives the crew around in a sound truck and arranges advertising. Ollie is the practical facilitator of the crew's arrangements, bridging their informal economy with the outside world.

A member of the crew whose role supports the group’s schemes and social dynamics. He embodies the friend-next-door reliability and the everyday perseverance of veterans adjusting to peacetime life.

A former WAVE ensign nicknamed 'the Admiral,' she becomes the moral center and focal point of the romance plot. Secretly followed and torn between Henry and Jimmy, she ultimately chooses Jimmy, holding onto independence even in a world of schemes.