The Caddy
The origin of Anthony and Miller, a wildly successful comedy team, can be traced back several years to Harvey Miller's stage fright on the golf links. Although the son of a skilled golfer and an outstanding player in his one right, Miller is too nervous to golf in front of a gallery. He becomes coach and caddy for Joe Anthony, his girlfriend's brother, who must convince his fisherman father that hitting a little ball into a hole can be more lucrative than trawling the Pacific Ocean. While on the PGA tour, their natural comedic abilities are recognized by a shrewd agent who senses their talent and potential, and a new comedy team is born.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 1 win & 1 nomination
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Caddy (1953) exhibits deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Norman Taurog's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Harvey Miller works at his family's sporting goods store, a talented golfer who suffers from severe stage fright whenever people watch him play.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Joe suggests they become a team - he'll be the golfer who plays in front of crowds while Harvey secretly coaches him and acts as his caddy, combining their complementary skills.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Harvey agrees to the plan and they enter their first professional tournament together, fully committed to the deception with Harvey as Joe's caddy., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Joe wins a major tournament and becomes a national celebrity, seemingly validating their partnership. But Harvey realizes he's increasingly invisible and Kathy doesn't know his true role., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The deception is exposed publicly during a critical tournament. Harvey and Joe's friendship collapses, Kathy feels betrayed by the dishonesty, and Harvey's dream of being a golfer seems dead., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Harvey realizes that true courage isn't avoiding his fear but facing it. He decides to play golf publicly, for himself, regardless of the outcome - synthesizing the theme of authenticity over acclaim., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Caddy's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Caddy against these established plot points, we can identify how Norman Taurog utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Caddy within the comedy genre.
Norman Taurog's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Norman Taurog films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Caddy takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Norman Taurog filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Norman Taurog analyses, see Jumping Jacks, Pardners and You're Never Too Young.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Harvey Miller works at his family's sporting goods store, a talented golfer who suffers from severe stage fright whenever people watch him play.
Theme
Harvey's father tells him that success comes from finding what you're good at and having the courage to pursue it, even if it means stepping out of the spotlight.
Worldbuilding
We meet Harvey Miller and Joe Anthony, establish Harvey's brilliant golf skills and his crippling stage fright, and see Joe's charisma but lack of athletic ability. The two form an unlikely friendship.
Disruption
Joe suggests they become a team - he'll be the golfer who plays in front of crowds while Harvey secretly coaches him and acts as his caddy, combining their complementary skills.
Resistance
Harvey debates whether this deception can work. They practice the arrangement, with Harvey teaching Joe the fundamentals while struggling with staying in the background.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Harvey agrees to the plan and they enter their first professional tournament together, fully committed to the deception with Harvey as Joe's caddy.
Mirror World
Harvey meets and falls for Kathy Taylor, the daughter of a golf pro, who represents authenticity and believing in yourself - she encourages Harvey to step into the light.
Premise
The fun of watching the scheme work as Joe becomes a celebrated golfer while Harvey secretly guides every shot. Comic situations arise from maintaining the deception while Harvey coaches from the sidelines.
Midpoint
Joe wins a major tournament and becomes a national celebrity, seemingly validating their partnership. But Harvey realizes he's increasingly invisible and Kathy doesn't know his true role.
Opposition
The lie becomes harder to maintain. Joe's ego grows with fame, Kathy grows closer to Harvey but he can't be honest with her, and pressure mounts as bigger tournaments approach. Harvey's frustration with living in the shadows increases.
Collapse
The deception is exposed publicly during a critical tournament. Harvey and Joe's friendship collapses, Kathy feels betrayed by the dishonesty, and Harvey's dream of being a golfer seems dead.
Crisis
Harvey faces his darkest moment, believing he'll never overcome his stage fright and has lost both his friend and the woman he loves through the deception.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Harvey realizes that true courage isn't avoiding his fear but facing it. He decides to play golf publicly, for himself, regardless of the outcome - synthesizing the theme of authenticity over acclaim.
Synthesis
Harvey enters a tournament as himself, battles his stage fright with support from Joe (reconciled) and Kathy. He plays honestly, demonstrating growth by facing his fear rather than hiding from it.
Transformation
Harvey, whether he wins or loses the tournament, has won the real victory - standing in the spotlight as himself. He's with Kathy, reconciled with Joe, and has found courage to be authentic.