Checkers (play)

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.

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. "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. "Notes on Plays; "Checkers" Something New in Melodrama at the American Theatre". The New York Times. October 1, 1903. p. 5.
  3. "The Stage". Munsey's Magazine. 31: 780. 1904.
  4. "Two Notable Theatrical Failures". The Argonaut. October 26, 1903.
  5. "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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