Checkers (play)

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Checkers is a play by Henry Blossom. [1] Adapted by Blossom from his 1896 novel Checkers: A Hard Luck Story , the play was performed on Broadway in 1903 and again in 1904. [2] [3] It was adapted into a film twice.

Contents

History

Checkers was originally conceived as a project to feature the talents of William Collier Sr.; an actor who had convinced the novelist to turn the work into a play for him. [4] [5] However, once completed, Collier backed out of the project and the part of "Checkers" went to a then relatively unknown Thomas W. Ross. [4] Ross had tremendous success in the role, and it launched his career. [5] [6] [2] [4]

Checkers premiered at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., on September 21, 1903. [1] It transferred to Broadway's American Theatre where it opened on September 28, 1903. [2] It closed in after 48 performance in November 1903 to go on tour, but returned in New York City for performances at the Academy of Music in 1904. [3]

1913 film

Eustace Hale Ball and Lawrence McGill wrote the screenplay. [7]

References

  1. 1 2 "NEW PLAYS IN WASHINGTON.; " The Light That Lies in Woman's Eyes" and "Checkers" Draw Large Audiences". The New York Times . September 22, 1903. p. 6.
  2. 1 2 3 "Notes on Plays; "Checkers" Something New in Melodrama at the American Theatre". The New York Times . October 1, 1903. p. 5.
  3. 1 2 "The Stage". Munsey's Magazine . 31: 780. 1904.
  4. 1 2 3 "Two Notable Theatrical Failures". The Argonaut . October 26, 1903.
  5. 1 2 "Still They Come". Munsey's Magazine . 30: 467–468. 1904.
  6. ↑ "Drama: From Venus to Bacchus". Life . October 16, 1903.
  7. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com.


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