The Cow Jumped Over the Moon

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The Cow Jumped Over the Moon
Written by Sumner Locke Elliott
Date premiered30 October 1937 [1]
Place premieredIndependent Theatre, Sydney
Original languageEnglish
Genrecomedy

The Cow Jumped Over the Moon is a 1937 Australian stage play by Sumner Locke Elliott. It was the first stage play by Elliott who was only twenty years old when it debuted. [2] [3]

Contents

Reviewing the original production at the Independent Theatre the Sydney Morning Herald said "Dialogue is brisk, convincing, and studded with certain laughs; characterisation is excellent; and the plot is well conceived and skilfully developed. It lacks the self-conscious amateur touch of most Australian plays, and must be rated among the best local efforts of the year." [4] Another critic wrote "Apart from the bright story and snappy lines, this comedy is so well written that every character gets into the spotlight." [5] The Bulletin said "The play drew a crowded audience, and, what is more, kept its laughter and interest right till the final curtain." [6]

The play was performed for a season in Los Angeles at the Call Board Theatre in 1938. [7] The play had been suggested by William Rees, formerly of Sydney who then lived in Los Angeles. [8]

The play was seen by scouts from MGM who at one stage reportedly considered it for a vehicle for Billie Burke but decided against it on the grounds it was too similar to The Vinegar Tree . [9]

Elliott later recalled the play "took about three days to complete, which is easily understandable if you take into consideration it is merely The Vinegar Tree with artificial colouring. . . . On the opening night a fuse blew out in the second act requiring most of the act to be played with the house lights on and seemed to me at the time a major catastrophe. I think I gave a rather conceited opening night speech and | received an anonymous letter about my profanity." [10]

Premise

A widowed middle aged woman meets an ex boyfriend.

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References

  1. ↑ "THE INDEPENDENT THEATRE". The Sydney Morning Herald . No. 31, 147. New South Wales, Australia. 30 October 1937. p. 10. Retrieved 5 September 2023– via National Library of Australia.
  2. ↑ "Stage and Sereen Personalities". The Sydney Morning Herald . National Library of Australia. 26 October 1937. p. 8 Supplement: Women's Supplement. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  3. ↑ "AT THE SYDNEY TIVOLI". The Telegraph . Queensland, Australia. 23 October 1937. p. 15 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved 5 September 2023– via National Library of Australia.
  4. ↑ "Comedy In The English Manner". The Daily Telegraph . Vol. II, no. 192. New South Wales, Australia. 1 November 1937. p. 6. Retrieved 5 September 2023– via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ "THEATRICAL THEMES". The Telegraph . Queensland, Australia. 30 July 1938. p. 15 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved 5 September 2023– via National Library of Australia.
  6. ↑ "A WOMAN'S LETTER", The bulletin., ISSN   0007-4039, nla.obj-574086335, retrieved 5 September 2023– via Trove
  7. ↑ ""STARS OF THE AIR" SUMNER LOCKE-ELLIOTT—PLAYWRIGHT, ACTOR AND SOLDIER". Wodonga and Towong Sentinel . Vic.: National Library of Australia. 15 December 1944. p. 1. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  8. ↑ "Spotlight on Society". The Sun . No. 8921. New South Wales, Australia. 9 August 1938. p. 11 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved 5 September 2023– via National Library of Australia.
  9. ↑ "Round Melbourne Shows..." The Argus . Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 12 June 1946. p. 13 Supplement: Woman's Magazine. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  10. ↑ Rees, Leslie (1987). Australian drama, 1970-1985 : a historical and critical survey. p. 183.
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