Strictly Dishonorable (play)
Encyclopedia
Strictly Dishonorable is a romantic comedy
play
written by Preston Sturges
and first produced on Broadway
in 1929. It has been adapted for the screen twice, first in 1931
, then again in 1951
. The play was Sturges' second Broadway production, and the first of his plays to be made into a film.
and directed by Pemberton and Antoinette Perry
, after whom the Tony Awards are named. Written in just six days, the play was such a success it earned Sturges over $300,000, and attracted interest from Hollywood.
The opening night cast was:
William Ricciardi was the only actor from the Broadway cast to play his role in the 1931 film adaptation.
Romantic Comedy
Romantic Comedy can refer to* Romantic Comedy , a 1979 play written by Bernard Slade* Romantic Comedy , a 1983 film adapted from the play and starring Dudley Moore and Mary Steenburgen...
play
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
written by Preston Sturges
Preston Sturges
Preston Sturges , originally Edmund Preston Biden, was a celebrated playwright, screenwriter and film director born in Chicago, Illinois...
and first produced on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in 1929. It has been adapted for the screen twice, first in 1931
Strictly Dishonorable (1931 film)
Strictly Dishonorable is a 1931 romantic comedy film directed by John M. Stahl, starring Paul Lukas, Sidney Fox and Lewis Stone, and featuring George Meeker and Sidney Toler. It was written by Gladys Lehman and based on Preston Sturges' 1929 hit Broadway play of the same name...
, then again in 1951
Strictly Dishonorable (1951 film)
Strictly Dishonorable is a 1951 romantic comedy film written, produced and directed by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama, and starring Ezio Pinza and Janet Leigh...
. The play was Sturges' second Broadway production, and the first of his plays to be made into a film.
Broadway production
On Broadway, the play opened on September 18, 1929 at the Avon Theatre and ran until January 1931, logging 557 performances. It was produced by Brock PembertonBrock Pemberton
Brock Pemberton was an American theatrical producer, director and founder of the Tony Awards.Pemberton was born in Leavenworth, Kansas and attended the University of Kansas. Before becoming a producer he was a press agent in New York...
and directed by Pemberton and Antoinette Perry
Antoinette Perry
Antoinette Perry was an actress, director and co-founder of the American Theatre Wing. The Tony Awards are her namesake....
, after whom the Tony Awards are named. Written in just six days, the play was such a success it earned Sturges over $300,000, and attracted interest from Hollywood.
The opening night cast was:
- John AltieriJohn AltieriJohn F. Altieri was an American singer and stage actor.Altieri was born in Brockton, Massachusetts. He graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in 1987, where he became involved in school plays and acting. Altieri went on to receive his bachelor's degree in dramatic literature from Duke...
as Giovanni - Carl Anthony as Judge Dempsey
- Tullio CarminatiTullio CarminatiTullio Carminati was an Italian actor most famous for roles in The Cardinal, One Night of Love, and El Cid. He also appeared in the movie, Roman Holiday....
as Count Di Ruvo - Louis Jean HeydtLouis Jean HeydtLouis Jean Heydt [April 17, 1905 - January 29, 1960] was an American Film, TV, and Theatre character actor from Montclair, New Jersey.-Early life:Heydt was born in Montclair New Jersey and Educated at Worcester Academy and Dartmouth College...
as Henry Greene - Muriel Kirkland as Isabelle Parry
- Edward J. McNamara as Patrolman Mulligan
- William Ricciardi as Tomaso Antiovi
- Marius Rogati as Mario
William Ricciardi was the only actor from the Broadway cast to play his role in the 1931 film adaptation.
See also
- Preston SturgesPreston SturgesPreston Sturges , originally Edmund Preston Biden, was a celebrated playwright, screenwriter and film director born in Chicago, Illinois...
- Strictly Dishonorable (1931 film)Strictly Dishonorable (1931 film)Strictly Dishonorable is a 1931 romantic comedy film directed by John M. Stahl, starring Paul Lukas, Sidney Fox and Lewis Stone, and featuring George Meeker and Sidney Toler. It was written by Gladys Lehman and based on Preston Sturges' 1929 hit Broadway play of the same name...
- Strictly Dishonorable (1951 film)Strictly Dishonorable (1951 film)Strictly Dishonorable is a 1951 romantic comedy film written, produced and directed by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama, and starring Ezio Pinza and Janet Leigh...