Figure 1.--Here Joe Crowell, the Grovers Corners paper boy, delivers his papers. He wears brown knickers with suspenders and long tan stockings and tan hightop shoes. He also wears a flat cap. He was later killed in World War I.

There was an excellent PBS production of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" (2002). The play is a wonderful creation of small town America in the early 20th century. It was shown on PBS television starring Paul Newman as the stage manager. In this production the high school boy George Gibbs was played by Ben Fox while Emily Webb, the girl with whom he falls in love, was acted by Maggie Lacey. Joe Crowell, the Grovers Corners paper boy, delivers his papers. He wears brown knickers with suspenders and long tan stockings and tan hightop shoes. He also wears a flat cap (figure 1). He was later killed in World War I. There is also an encounter between the high school lovers, George and Emily. George wears grey knickers with suspenders and patterned knee socks. He also wears a shirt with a bow tie. Note his longish hair. The costuming here seems a little wrong. At this early date (the action is laid in 1901) the boys would be more likely to wear knee pants with long black stockings or knickers that fastened above the knee. In addition the knickers are very long, almost down to the ankles. We have seen knickers like this worn in Europe after World War II, but they were not worn in the early 20th century. George's patterned knee socks are also long wrong for the hitorical period as is his hair style. The acting, however, in this version is excellent. The actor who plays George looks a little too old for his role.

Created: 10:13 PM 6/17/2004
Last updated: 10:14 PM 6/17/2004