Blue Jeans (play)
Encyclopedia
Blue Jeans is a melodramatic
play by Joseph Arthur that opened in New York City
in 1890 to great popularity. The sensation of the play is a scene where the unconscious hero is placed on a board approaching a huge buzz saw in a sawmill, which became one of the most dramatic imitated scenes (eventually to the point of cliche). The play remained popular for decades, and was made into a popular silent film in 1917.
debut was on October 6, 1890, at the Fourteenth Street Theatre
.Borman, Gerald Martin. American theatre: a chronicle of comedy and drama, 1869-1914, p.301 (1994) The original New York run of the play ran through March 7, 1891.(5 November 1901). "Blue Jeans" at Proctor's Fifth Avenue, The New York Times
The play enjoyed considerable success around the United States and in revivals in the following decades. It debuted in London in 1898.Adams, William Davenport. A dictionary of the drama, p. 177 (1904).
A silent film version of the play was released in December 1917, and was also quite popular, starring Viola Dana
as June and Robert D. Walker
as Bascom.
to make a run for Congress, and marry Sue Eudaly. Sue's ex, Ben Boone, is nonplussed at this turn of events, and successfully runs for office against Bascom. Bascom later sours on Sue, and divorces her to marry June. After various twists, Boone corners June and Bascom at Bascom's sawmill. After knocking Bascom out, Boone places him on a board approaching a huge buzz saw. June, locked in an office, escapes just in time to save Bascom from certain death.
Melodrama
The term melodrama refers to a dramatic work that exaggerates plot and characters in order to appeal to the emotions. It may also refer to the genre which includes such works, or to language, behavior, or events which resemble them...
play by Joseph Arthur that opened in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1890 to great popularity. The sensation of the play is a scene where the unconscious hero is placed on a board approaching a huge buzz saw in a sawmill, which became one of the most dramatic imitated scenes (eventually to the point of cliche). The play remained popular for decades, and was made into a popular silent film in 1917.
Background
The play's New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
debut was on October 6, 1890, at the Fourteenth Street Theatre
Fourteenth Street Theatre
The Fourteenth Street Theatre was a New York City theatre located on 14th Street just west of Sixth Avenue.The venue opened in 1866 as the Theatre Francais. It was renamed the Lyceum in 1871. By the time J.H...
.Borman, Gerald Martin. American theatre: a chronicle of comedy and drama, 1869-1914, p.301 (1994) The original New York run of the play ran through March 7, 1891.(5 November 1901). "Blue Jeans" at Proctor's Fifth Avenue, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
The play enjoyed considerable success around the United States and in revivals in the following decades. It debuted in London in 1898.Adams, William Davenport. A dictionary of the drama, p. 177 (1904).
A silent film version of the play was released in December 1917, and was also quite popular, starring Viola Dana
Viola Dana
Viola Dana was an American film actress who was successful during the era of silent movies.- Career :Born Virginia Flugrath, Dana was a child star, appearing on the stage at the age of three. She read Shakespeare and particularly identified with the teenage Juliet. She enjoyed a long run at the...
as June and Robert D. Walker
Robert D. Walker
Robert D. Walker was an American film actor. He appeared in 215 films between 1913 and 1953.He was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and died in Los Angeles, California.-Selected filmography:* Blue Jeans...
as Bascom.
Plot
Perry Bascom returns home to Rising Sun, IndianaRising Sun, Indiana
Rising Sun is a city in Randolph Township, Ohio County, Indiana, along the Ohio River. The population was 2,304 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Ohio County.-History:...
to make a run for Congress, and marry Sue Eudaly. Sue's ex, Ben Boone, is nonplussed at this turn of events, and successfully runs for office against Bascom. Bascom later sours on Sue, and divorces her to marry June. After various twists, Boone corners June and Bascom at Bascom's sawmill. After knocking Bascom out, Boone places him on a board approaching a huge buzz saw. June, locked in an office, escapes just in time to save Bascom from certain death.