* boys clothing : depictions in stage plays alphabetical listings








Plays and Musicals: Alphabetical Listings

HBC is compiling an alphabetized list of plays which accurately depict period costuming for boys. We know less about plays than movies. We have only a small list of plays at this time. This is in part many plays are addressed by the New York or local press. The national press gives much more publicity to movies. Thus there is more information available on movies. It is also possible to view movies conveniently at home on television, which is not possible for plays. Of course many of the best plays are eventually made into movies. Popular plays also inspire important films. Sometimes the same cast is used, other times more well known stars are secured for the film version. Please let me know of any movies and television shows that are good depictions of period dress.

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And in the Darkness the Light Shines (Russia)

Leo Tolstoy is best known as one of the great Russian novelists. His greatest work was of course War and Peace. He also wrote some plays. One of those was "And in the Darkness the Light Shines. We note a performance of the play in 1999 staged in the world-renowned Moscow Academical Art Theater (founded by famous K. S. Stanislavskiy in 1898). The producer was V. V. Dolgatchev. center).

Auntie Mame (U.S., 1956-58)

"Auntie Mame" is an uproarously funny play about an orphaned boy, Patrick, who comes to live with his unconventional aunt. The exuberant Broadway stage play was based on the novel by Patrick Dennis. With the success of Patrik' Dennis' book, producers Robert Fryer and Lawrence Carr immediately grasped the Broadway potential. Carr in particular was struck by the comic potential of Mame Dennis. [Jordon] Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee adapted into a long-running Broadway play. Fryer was already familiar with Russel Rosalind Russel so she was a quick choice for the title role of Mame Dennis. The original cast also included Robert Allen as Mr. Babcock, Robert Smith as Beau, and Peggy Cass as Agnes Gooch. Lawrence and Lee sketched our the young Patrick that they were looking for, "A completely natural, inuistive, unprecocious child who progresses from 10 to 14 years during the play." The play opened at the Broadhurst Theater. It opened in October 1956 and ran through January 1958 with a total of 639 performances. It was directed by Morton Da Costa. A virtual newconer. Jan Handzlik (1945), played Patrick Dennis. He was the son of Jean Handzlik, a minor Broadway actress. Russel says that he was 9 years old when the production began to prepare, but that does not seem to jibe with his 1945 bityhdate. Jan also played the relatively minor role of Michael Dennis. Both Russell and Cass received Tony Award nominations (1957). Cass actually won the award. This popular 1958 film version permited Rosalind Russell to recreate her stage role as Mame Dennis. Unlike many Broadway plays, the major two roles, Mame and Patrick, were also played by the same people in the film version.

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Babes in the Woods

"Babes in the Woods" is a traditional children's folk tale about two children abandoned in a forrest. There are many inantations of this An English version has them die and are covered with leaves by robins. The first published version was a ballad by Thomas Millington from Norwich, England. The basic story has been told with varying details. Many attributeit as a Mother Goose rhyme. Perhaps the best known published version id the Grim Brithers' "Hansel and Grettle. Walt Disney popularized the story with a animated patiche picking up on "Hansel and Gretel" with the addition of friendly elves and of course the required Disney happy ending )1932). We mention it here because in England nd English colonies like Australia, the basic story is used as a setting for pantomimes. We note these pantamines in England during the 19th and 20th centuries.

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Cabaret (U.S.)

In the original stage version of the show, the song "Tomorrow belongs to me" is not sung by a Hitler Youth boy but by an adult party member--at a social gathering, to the embarrassment of some of those present.

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Dame Nature (U.S., 1938)

Nontgomery Clift played typical child roles, until the play seen here--"Dame Nature". This was a work by French playwrite Andr� Birabeau. Clift played the role of 15-year old Andr� Brisac. Here he started the transition from child roles, to more complicated adult themes. The subject of the play was rather sensational, but the show debuted during the Munich crisia in Europe (September 26, 1938). The produce who expected a hit theorized that Munich made the personal travails, however sensatonal seem petty. Director Worthington Miner explained, "The stomp of Storm Troopers' boots drowned out the fragile voices of two teenage children in love." [Schaffener, p. 93.] Despite the adult theme, 18-year old Montgomery wore short pants and knee socks to accentuate his youth.

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Eye on the Sparrow (U.S., 1938)

Montgomery Clift appeard as a teenager. The play was a substantial failure and quickly closed.

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Fly Away Home (U.S., 1933)

"Fly Away Home" was a commedy by Dorthy Benett and Irving Berlin. It is the story of a long-lost father. He refurns to find that his wife has remarried and his children are rebelious. Montgomery Clift was cast as one of the children. Director Theron Bamberger found Montgomeryand was vey impressed with his performance. It was Montgomery's first Broadway play and he got very positive reviews. The play proved a success and rn for 200 performances. Directors and producers began noticing 13 year old Montgomery.

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Figure 2.--This is a scene rom the "newsboys" routine in "Gypsy". The boys wear knickers both on and off the stage, eventually as they grow up--they no longer like the role. Note the one boy wearing argyle kneesocks. This image is from the 1990 Broadway revival starring Tyne Daly.

Gypsy - (U.S., 19??)

Rosalind Russel stared in the original hit Broadway version of Gypsy.film version of the hit Broadway muscial--Gypsy. The musical was revived in 1990. A group of boys are involved in the plot in th first half of the play. They are part of the Vaudville act. One of the most impotant bits featured Baby June and her Newsboys. The knickerbockers are an important feature of the boys' costumes. The boys also wore knickers of the stage.

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Jubilee (US, 1935)

"Jubilee" w an engagig musical written by Cole Porter. Montgomery Clift got a part. The show ran for only 60 performamces, byt the music proved popular. The best known song was, "Begin the Beguine".

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La ville dont le prince est un enfant (France)

This French school play was written in 1951 and set in the inter-war years. The play was written by Henri de Montherlant in 1951. Henri de Montherlant (1896-1972) is a noted French playwrite. The action takes place between the two World Wars (1919-1939) in Paris (Auteuil) (one of the most posh districts with Neuilly), in a catholic college, about at the end of March. Father de Pradts, 35, master of studies is too over-indulgent with an unruly pupil,

Little Lord Fautleroy (U.S.)

Little Lord Fauntleroy proved to be a sensation in the theater as well as in book form. Soon after the publication of Little Lord Fauntleroy, the enormous popularity of the book virtually ensured that the story would appear on the stage. It not only appeared, but proved enormously successful, not only in the United States, but on the London stage as well. Productions on the Continent soon followed. We have little information on these Continental productions. Along with the income from the book, it changed Mrs. Burnett's life for ever. As much as people now make fun of the play, it had an amazing run. Most plays have one run and are then forgotten. Fauntleroy not only had a long initial run, but it constantlt reappeared throughout the 1890s and 1900s before World War I. Even after the War, moie versions began to appear.

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Mame U.S., 1966)

'Mame' is the musical based on the wordeful novel ny Patrick Dennis. It is about the mad-cap antics of the ecentric aunt who raised him--Mame Dennis. Mame is unconventional and fun-loving with a lust for wealth. The action swirls around her and he apartment a 3 Beakman Place. She lives for the moment and is convinced "Life is a banquet!" Her self-indugent life of drinking and parties epitomized the Rorating 20s, but changes when she first becomes the guardian of her very conservtive late brother's son Patrick. Patrick is a surprise package. He comes with instructions and a trust fund bank agent to see that they are enforced. Shortly after the stock market crashes. Ptrick had a trust find. She does not. She is saved when she meets a wealthy Southern plantation owner. 'Mame' opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden (1966-69) and Broadway Theatres (1969-70) starring Angela Lansbury and Beatrice Arthur. Frankie Michaels played the young Patrick. The Lyrics were by Jerry Herman, The music was orchestrated by Philip J. Lang. It was directed by Gene Saks and choreographed by Onna White. It then played in London at the Drury Lane Theatre. It ws not as popular in London as in New York, but had a good run.. It was revived on Broadway for a second series of performances (1983). Angela Lansbury again starred as Mame Dennis. Lucille Balle and Robert Preston starred in the 1974 movie production. Kirby Furlong played the young Patrick in the film version.

Member of the Wedding (U.S.)

The author was was Carson McCullers who also wrote The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter. Brandon de Wilde stared as the younger brother in this classic play. He wore bib-front shorts. It was his first major role and he went on to play in the movie as well.

Mrs. McThing (U.S., 1952)

Mrs. McThing is today a little known play, in part because it was never made into a film. It was, however, a delightful comic romp by Mary Chase, the writer better known for another comedy--Harvey about a large imaginary rabbit. Chase in Mrs. McThing deals with the insistance of some parents that small boys should always scrub behind their ears and demands for other adult standards of perfection. Mrs. McThing is a meddlesome witch, perhaps not ion the same literary plane as Haevey, but a fun play nonetheless. The play stared Brande de Wilde, better known for his performances in Member of the Wedding and Shane. Brandon played Howay, a normally rather mischevious boy.

(The) Music Man (U.S., 19??)

The Music Man is a nostalgic look at Midwest America about 1910. This popular broadway musical was made into a successful film. One of the characters, Winthrop, the librarian's son is usually dressed in a knickers suit or sailor suit. Winthrop in the original Broadway production was performed by Edddie Hodges. He sings the song "Gary, Indiana" with a lisp. The boys in the play all wear knickers. One boy gets into trouble for pulling his knickers down below his knees. Here's that memorable quote from the Music Man, in the song "Trouble" sung by the bogus Professor Harold Hill, warning the River City parents of the need to set up a boys' band in order to stop their sons going off the rails: "The minute your son leaves the house, does he rebutton his knickerbockers BELOW THE KNEE?" (A sure sign of incipient delinquency!) The broadway musical play was followed by a major film version.

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Yr Obedient Husband (U.S., 1937)

This sentimental play was written by Horace Jackson. It is set in the 18th century based on the life of Richard Steel. He wa a journalist who played a prominent role in The Tatler and Spectator. It was produced by Frederic March who also stared in it aftr 10 years in Hollywood. Montgomery Clift who was 17 years old played Lord Finch. Despite March's star billing, the show closed on Broadway after onlyone week. Clift received, however, some favorable notice.


Figure 2.--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 wrong for the historical period as is his hair style.

Our Town (United States, 2002)

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.

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Rockin' Oliver! (England, 2001)

Rockin' Oliver!, is a new musical, written in 2001 by Jivin� Jimmy. It is set in 1950s England, about a musical child prodigy who is the great-great grandson of Oliver Twist--Oliver Philip Brownlow. He lives in London over oe hundred years and four generations later. The promoters describe Rockin' Oliver as, "A sequel to Lionel Bart�s �OLIVER!� Set in the late 1950s in Rockin' Old England"." Mark Lester commenting on Roclin! Oliver writes, "I think it is a great idea. Totally original and bound to be a success." The play begins as Oliver Twist asks for more gruel in the workhouse. The boys at Oliver's table are punished for their part in drawing straws to ask for more food. They have their gruel ration cut in half and their work day is extended. As a result, Oliver�s best friends, Dick and John, who sat at his table, soon starve to death. John escapes the workhouse and steals food and is caught. Another boy, Sebastian, is apprenticed as a chimney sweep. After their deaths, the ghostly spirits of Dick and John rest for over one hundred years. Finally they rise again in the 1950s to find what happened to Oliver.

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Shadowlands (England, 1989)

Shadowlands is a bittersweet love story set in the 1950s about the relationship between a middle-age Oxford academic C. S. Lewis who had long since given up on marraige and a young American poet Joy Davidman. Seredipitously, Lewis publishged the charming autobiographical book about his childhood Surprised by Joy. Here Joy had an poetic inspiration and not Joy Davidman. The play deals with their develooing relationship, marriage, and Joy's tragic death from cancer. This challenged Lewis' Christian faith. 'Shadowlands has a very modern history. It did not begin with a play or book, but was a 1985 television production and 1989 stage adaptation. Brian Sibley and Norman Stone wrote the screenpaly of the original television program wasunitially been called 'I Call it Joy' written for Thames Television. Sibley later wrote a book, Shadowlands: The True Story of C. S. Lewis and Joy Davidman. Lewis was a reserved, middle-aged bachelor leading a quiet academic life, although his classic children's books, the Narnia series had become a publishing sensation. He began corresponding with Joy about literature. She had a trobled marriage and two sons. They met when sge came to England. The marriage was a matter of convenience at first, byrt developed nto love. They coild not have been two more different people. He was middle age, quiet and resrved. She was outgoing and vivacious, even a bit excentric. Her uninhibited behaviour raised eyebrows in the rigidly proper world of male and academic dominated Oxford not yet loosenbed by the 1960s. Each open each other to new world views. An umortant part of the play is Joy preparing Lewis for her ineviatable death. A major British film followed (1993).

Sound of Music (U.S.)

The Sound of Music is one of the world'd best known musicals. Of course many saw it as the film production, but many have also seen the play performed in live theater. The Sound of Music appeared on the Broadway stage in 1959. The final collaboration between composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II who passed away 9 months after the opening. It was based on Maria Von Trapp's autobiography The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Originally, the musical was to contain only actual music that had been sung by the Trapps in their concerts, plus one original song by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The talented songwriting duo balked at this, however, and eventually they were allowed to contribute the entire score. Mary Martin played Maria. There was also a long-running production on London. The children in the srage play always wore white sailor suits. It is also an often done play by community and school theater groups.

Spring Awakening (U.S.)

The rock musical, "Spring Awakening" was a great hit on Broadway for several years and in 2011 was touring the United States with great success. It is based on a controversial play by Frank Wedekind, a German dramatist of the very late-19th century, about coming of age and sexual repression in a small German town. The play was first staged in Germany during the 1890s. The American musical, following the play, features a group of German adolescents who discover their own true natures and beliefs with tragic results. The American musical is set in the 1890s when it first appeared. Conflict with teachers and parents is a vital part of the story. The play raises a range of interesting questions, but unfortunatwly provides simplistic, stock answers. The boys are costumed in knee pants suits which I suposed in intended to convey both period dress and oppression. It is true that quite old American boys might wear knee pants at the turn-of-the 20th century. This was less common in Germany. And the suggestion of a school uniform was also not a good representation of German schoolwear.

T


Tomorrow, the World (U.S., 1943)

This World War II drama dealt with Hitler's seduction of German Youth. Few who saw it realized that it only scratched the suface of the Third Reich and what the how teribly sucessful the NAZIs were in deluding an entire generation of young people. NAZIs A HBC reader reports recently acquired a copy of Tomorrow, the World, a film he has wanted to see for a long time. It was Skippy Homeier's film debut. He had performed this role in live theater the year before. The film and play deal with a Hitler Youth boy who can not accep his father's oppostion to his beloved F�hrer and the NAZIs. He has one scene in both play and film in an Hitler Youth uniform.

U


Unman, Wittering and Zigo (England)

"Unman, Wittering and Zigo" by Giles Cooper is set in a British boys boarding school.

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Created: 9:49 PM 6/17/2004
Last updated: 5:42 PM 10/27/2020