The Carpetbaggers
Upon the death of his father in 1928, Jonas Cord Jr., who has thus far led a wild life, assumes control of the Cord business empire centered on a Nevada chemical company, that control despite the animosity that existed between father and son about business issues. With the exception of a few trusted people including his best friend, aging cowboy Nevada Smith, business manager "Mac" McAllister, and longtime butler Jedidiah, Jonas in turn trusts no one in his effort to take complete control of the business and his life, buying out other "friends", business associates and adversaries in his "I know best" attitude. In the process, he begins to diversify his business interests into areas which he either has an interest and/or believes will be industries of the immediate future, including aviation and the movie industry. The poor way he treats people extends to his personal life, including the many women closest to him, such as his stepmother, Rina Marlowe, who was his girlfriend before she married his father, and who would become his wife, Monica Winthrop, the daughter of a business associate. The question becomes if this life is sustainable for him, especially as people try to usurp him, and those he trusts may no longer be able to tolerate his behavior, which he may not be able to let go of in much of it stemming from issues ingrained into him when he was a child.
The film earned $40.0M at the global box office.
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award2 wins & 4 nominations
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 Carpetbaggers (1964) exemplifies precise plot construction, characteristic of Edward Dmytryk's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jonas Cord Jr. Stands at his father's funeral, a young man inheriting a vast empire. The opening establishes Jonas as wealthy, powerful, and emotionally detached from those around him.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 21 minutes when Rina Marlowe rejects Jonas's advances and chooses to marry Nevada Smith instead, challenging Jonas's belief that money can buy everything, including love.. At 14% 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 36 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Jonas makes the active decision to fully commit to the film business, hiring Nevada Smith and pursuing his vision despite opposition. He chooses to build something of his own rather than just inherit., moving from reaction to action.
At 78 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 52% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False defeat: Rina Marlowe dies tragically, representing the death of Jonas's last connection to genuine feeling. This loss raises the stakes and forces Jonas to confront his emotional emptiness., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 114 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jonas faces the collapse of his marriage as Jennie leaves him, recognizing that his wealth and power mean nothing without the ability to love. This is his emotional death - losing the one person who truly cared., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 119 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Jonas gains clarity about what truly matters, understanding that success without human connection is hollow. He sees that he must change fundamentally or remain empty forever., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Carpetbaggers's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Carpetbaggers against these established plot points, we can identify how Edward Dmytryk utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Carpetbaggers within the drama genre.
Edward Dmytryk's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Edward Dmytryk films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Carpetbaggers takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Edward Dmytryk filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Edward Dmytryk analyses, see The Caine Mutiny, Raintree County.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jonas Cord Jr. stands at his father's funeral, a young man inheriting a vast empire. The opening establishes Jonas as wealthy, powerful, and emotionally detached from those around him.
Theme
A character observes that Jonas only knows how to take, never how to give - establishing the central theme about the cost of ruthless ambition and emotional emptiness.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Jonas's world: his inherited business empire, his relationship with Rina Marlowe (his father's young widow), and his entry into the Hollywood film industry. We see his ruthless business tactics and emotional isolation.
Disruption
Rina Marlowe rejects Jonas's advances and chooses to marry Nevada Smith instead, challenging Jonas's belief that money can buy everything, including love.
Resistance
Jonas expands his business ventures into aviation and film production, trying to prove his worth through success rather than relationships. He encounters resistance and learns about the Hollywood system.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jonas makes the active decision to fully commit to the film business, hiring Nevada Smith and pursuing his vision despite opposition. He chooses to build something of his own rather than just inherit.
Mirror World
Introduction of Jennie Denton, an aspiring actress who represents genuine emotion and human connection - the opposite of Jonas's cold business world. She will serve as his thematic mirror.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Jonas builds his Hollywood empire, creates stars, makes films, and enjoys the power and glamour of the movie business. His ruthless methods bring success but alienate those around him.
Midpoint
False defeat: Rina Marlowe dies tragically, representing the death of Jonas's last connection to genuine feeling. This loss raises the stakes and forces Jonas to confront his emotional emptiness.
Opposition
Jonas's empire expands but his personal relationships deteriorate. His marriage to Jennie becomes strained due to his inability to emotionally connect. Business rivals close in, and his controlling nature pushes people away.
Collapse
Jonas faces the collapse of his marriage as Jennie leaves him, recognizing that his wealth and power mean nothing without the ability to love. This is his emotional death - losing the one person who truly cared.
Crisis
Jonas confronts his isolation and the realization that his father's legacy of emotional coldness has destroyed his capacity for human connection. Dark night of self-examination.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jonas gains clarity about what truly matters, understanding that success without human connection is hollow. He sees that he must change fundamentally or remain empty forever.
Synthesis
Jonas attempts to reconcile with those he's hurt and make amends for his ruthless behavior. He confronts his business rivals and personal demons, trying to find redemption.
Transformation
Final image shows Jonas alone with his empire, successful but emotionally unchanged - a tragic ending where the protagonist fails to transform, illustrating the cost of his choices.