The Jackpot

A department-store worker in the Midwest whose modest salary supports his wife and two kids. He wins a radio quiz that showers him with an improbable mountain of prizes, pulling him into a web of taxes, arrests, and public scrutiny. Naive yet well-meaning, he must navigate temptation, deception, and the strain of family life as the winnings collide with reality.

Bill's wife, who shares a modest life with him and their children. She supports him at first but grows suspicious of an affair with Hilda and the fast-paced changes after the winnings. Her loyalty to the family is tested as the prizes bring both redecorated rooms and emotional turmoil into their home.

A Greenwich Village portrait painter who becomes involved with Bill, sparking jealousy and suspicion within his marriage. Her artistic presence amplifies the conflict between desire and fidelity while the prize chaos unfolds. She appears as a catalyst in the unraveling of Bill's personal life.

A reporter who has been covering Bill's winnings and helps verify his identity with the police. He acts as a stabilizing force amid rumors and media scrutiny, guiding Bill toward a more grounded resolution. His involvement underscores the role of the press in exposing truth and mediating crises.

The department-store owner who eventually rehired Bill as vice-president after the turmoil. He embodies the business world's reach and fickleness, flipping between discipline and forgiveness as the plot shifts. His presence anchors the story's power dynamics and the possibility of redemption.