301:) Clarence now acts as general handyman at the Wheeler home, as well as secretary to Mr. Wheeler, since he is plainly well educated. He has grown healthier and stands straight, but still wears his uniform for lack of civilian clothes. Della and Rosie admire his husband potential, while Dinwiddie can't decide whether Clarence is domestic staff or a professional man. Violet is beset with suitors: first Bobby, then Hubert Stem, and now Clarence who shyly seeks her company. Cora is distraught when she learns Hubert was using her as a stalking horse to draw the protective Violet to him. Clarence frustrates Hubert's attempt to woo Violet then calms Mrs. Wheeler's unwarranted jealousy over Mr. Wheeler and Violet. But Violet doesn't want Clarence to pursue her, and requests he keep his distance. Della has now abandoned her designs on Bobby and switched to Clarence, as does Cora. When Clarence's army backpay arrives, he buys a new suit and used saxophone, and leads Cora and Dinwiddie into an impromptu parade. (
287:) Mrs. Martyn suggests Mr. Wheeler might want to see a young soldier in the waiting room. At first Mr. Wheeler demurs, but as his wife, son, daughter, and daughter's governess parade through the waiting room baying out their complaints, he realizes it might be politic to offer the young doughboy a job to keep him quiet. Mr. Wheeler is impressed that Clarence could drive mules in the Army without learning to swear, thinking this may be the fellow to ride herd on his family. Mrs. Martyn, unable to hear Clarence through Cora's chattering, has recorded his surname as "Smun". All that the family knows about the plainly ailing Clarence is that he was discharged for his liver. (
794:
29:
309:
326:?" asks Mrs. Wheeler, to which he answers "During training". Violet, Bobby, and Mr. Wheeler cannot agree on Clarence's last name, offering Moon, Smart, and Smun respectively. Hubert Stem now brings a newspaper clipping about an Army deserter named "Charles Short". Clarence frustrates him by obtuseness, but reacts angrily when accused of being Charles Short. Mr. Wheeler tries to calm him, explaining they know so little about him. Clarence shouts that all you have to do is look him up in
273:
722:
322:) Della spars with a jealous Dinwiddie, then startles Bobby by comparing him unfavorably to Clarence. She reveals Clarence used to work in a "lavatory". Violet still refuses Clarence's tenative approaches, but is reconciled with Mrs. Wheeler. Cora asks Clarence what was wrong with his liver, to which he replies he was shot in it. "At
143:
in support. It had a one-week tryout in
Atlantic City during July 1919, before it premiered on Broadway during September 1919 and ran through June 1920 for 323 performances. It was the breakout role for Alfred Lunt, establishing him as a Broadway star, and for Tarkington provided proof he could write
348:
under any of the surnames they thought were his. Clarence explains to Della that he worked in a laboratory, not a lavatory, but she doesn't know the difference. Violet comes down with her suitcase and hat. She is leaving, but is surprised when
Clarence says he is too. While they are alone Clarence
120:. It is a four-act comedy with two settings and eleven characters. The story concerns an ailing recently discharged soldier who is given a handyman job by a financial tycoon because he has overheard family gossip in the tycoon's waiting room. Tarkington wrote the play with
349:
explains that he is an entomologist, and has re-applied for his old job. He expects a letter that morning confirming the re-appointment. He overwhelms Violet with his confidence in planning their future; she is swept along in the tide. The letter arrives for
344:) The Wheeler family bickers after breakfast, Bobby and Cora endlessly sniping and aggravating Mr. Wheeler. Only Mrs. Wheeler remains calm. The crux of the matter is they can't remember the word Clarence told them. They also can't find a Clarence in
834:
closed at the Hudson
Theatre on June 19, 1920, after thirty-nine weeks and 323 performances. The production went on summer hiatus until September 1920, when it played the "Subway Circuit" followed by long engagements in Philadelphia and Boston.
743:, but felt it "killingly long in its present state". They also identified the characters of Bobby and Cora as central: "...the sluggish action, since this is a Tarkington play arises from two children just emerging into maturity".
357:
is re-consulted and reveals his doctorate and other impressive credentials. Violet and
Clarence depart, while the miffed Cora, frustrated in love again, swallows and says softly "Oh, Clarence". (
330:, as he is the expert on Coleoptera. The situation is defused when Dinwiddie reports a plumbing emergency. Clarence exits to stop the flooding while Mr. Wheeler calls for a dictionary. (
398:
on
Broadway. Tyler hired Lunt and was impressed. Tarkington caught Lunt's performance in Boston and wired Tyler to retain him, as Tarkington wanted to write a play built around Lunt.
421:. Both men had previously insisted Tarkington wasn't able to write a good play, despite his literary stature with novels. They pointed to his earlier solo stage efforts such as
685:
had its first performance at Nixon's Apollo
Theatre in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on July 7, 1919. The local reviewer said the audience laughed from start to finish, calling
773:
for the thankless role of the stepmother, reminding his readers of her volunteer work entertaining
American troops in France during the late war. The critic for
144:
a critically successful play. For the 19-year-old Helen Hayes it was another acclaimed step in her ascent to becoming the "First Lady of
American Theatre".
819:
in support. Percy
Hammond said that Robert Adams' Clarence was overwhelmed by Kelly and Gordon's Bobby and Cora. Others in the cast were Byron Beasley and
269:
A great deal of the dialogue centers on
Clarence's mysterious background, which comes out bit by bit. Even his surname isn't known until late in the play.
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was sent to Chicago, where it opened at the Blackstone Theater on January 5, 1920. It starred Robert Adams in the title role, with Betty Murray,
442:
Principal cast during the Atlantic City tryout and the Broadway run. The production was on hiatus between July 13 and September 19, 1919.
323:
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Since the collapse of Liebler & Company in 1914, Tyler had been working as a semi-independent producer in association with
151:
was launched in Chicago during January 1920 by producer Tyler. The play was never revived on Broadway, but was adapted for a
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as the standout performances in a strong cast, and even praised producer Tyler and director Frederick Stanhope.
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reviewer reported the "original and whimsical humor" of Tarkington's new play, superior to earlier works like
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A mistaken impression by Cora and Bobby, who didn't realize Clarence meant he already knew how to swear.
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The play was first produced by George C. Tyler, staged by Frederick Stanhope, and starred Lunt with
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The production premiered in Manhattan with five new cast members on September 20, 1919, at the
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is the best light comedy written by an American." He identified Helen Hayes, Alfred Lunt, and
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thought the play was excellent but felt a four-act comedy was too much. Charles Darnton in
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for her chatterbox schoolgirl, Phoebe Foster as Violet, and George Howell as Mr. Wheeler.
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during the Fall of 1917, at the same time as Carlisle was starring in the first season of
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is man-servant to Mr. Wheeler; he has broken with Della after seeing her kissed by Bobby.
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comedy". He also favored Hayes, Hunter, and Lunt for performing honors, but singled out
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is an older Irish-American maid at the Wheeler home, heard speaking to Della in Act II.
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is 17, flapper daughter of Mr. Wheeler by his first wife, infatuated with Hubert Stem.
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is 16, son of Mr. Wheeler by his first wife, expelled from the finest private schools.
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Living room of Mr. Wheeler's home, Englewood, New Jersey. Daytime, three weeks later
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is a spectacle-wearing soldier, recently given a medical discharge from the Army.
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is in his fifties; he controls his financial investment firm but not his family.
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is an attractive Irish-American maid, who will not let Bobby trifle with her.
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went out on strike in August, which wasn't settled until September 6, 1920.
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as "stale and mechanical", but they publicly recanted with the premiere of
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Successful plays had been made by others from Tarkington's novels, such as
229:
is Mr. Wheeler's efficient confidential secretary at his New York offices.
413:, but he himself hadn't written a stage work that pleased critics like
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Mr. Wheeler's office in New York, and his home in Englewood, New Jersey
247:
is 26, a grass widower who dates Cora but is really after Miss Pinney.
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is in her mid-twenties, tutor and chaperone-governess to Cora Wheeler.
1076:. Atlantic City, New Jersey. June 29, 1919. p. 16 – via
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1174:. New York, New York. September 22, 1919. p. 11 – via
1114:. Boston, Massachusetts. August 10, 1919. p. 48 – via
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disagreed, saying Tarkington had made all the acts entertaining.
747:, in reversing his earlier skepticism on Tarkington plays, said "
167:
Characters are listed in order of appearance within their scope.
1249:
Hammond, Percy (January 6, 1920). "Mr. Tarkington At His Best".
1193:. Brooklyn, New York. September 22, 1919. p. 7 – via
1152:. New York, New York. September 6, 1919. p. 7 – via
1054:. Brooklyn, New York. February 17, 1920. p. 9 – via
1231:. Chicago, Illinois. January 5, 1920. p. 23 – via
1275:. New York, New York. June 17, 1920. p. 32 – via
1133:. New York, New York. August 8, 1919. p. 7 – via
124:
in mind, after having seen him perform in his earlier work,
502:
Producer Tyler switched Hayes to the lead in a tryout of
1208:
Darnton, Charles (September 22, 1919). "The New Plays".
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as Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, and Miss Joe Wallace as Della.
1006:
Woollcott, Alexander (September 22, 1919). "The Play".
285:
The anteroom of Mr. Wheeler's private office, New York.
1095:. Atlantic City, New Jersey. July 9, 1919 – via
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While still in its Broadway run, a second company for
374:
Producer George C. Tyler said in his 1934 memoir that
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is in her thirties, Mr. Wheeler's jealous second wife.
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While still in its Broadway run, a second company for
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765:is as fresh and unspoiled and deftly artful as a
1028:Broun, Heywood (September 22, 1919). "Drama".
1212:. New York, New York. p. 18 – via
353:, provoking astonishment among everyone. The
8:
1253:. Chicago, Illinois. p. 17 – via
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1032:. New York, New York. p. 7 – via
1010:. New York, New York. p. 8 – via
927:This was located at the intersection of the
382:as her leading man for the second season of
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689:"irresistibly funny". They also praised
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1091:"See "Clarence" And Laugh Your Fill".
390:. Lunt had performed a bit role with
7:
1148:"Strike of Actors Comes to an End".
1129:"Players Go Out, Closing Theatres".
1300:George C. Tyler and J. C. Furnas.
1170:"New Tarkington Comedy Charming".
705:was scheduled to open at Boston's
14:
89:Discharged soldier mends problems
876:was adapted by Grant Garett and
1295:Clarence: A Comedy in Four Acts
1110:"Booth Tarkington's New Play".
1072:"Nixon's Apollo Theatre (ad)".
952:Clarence: A Comedy in Four Acts
717:Broadway premiere and reception
701:reported in early August that
1:
709:on August 30, 1919. However,
16:1919 play by Booth Tarkington
972:Tyler and Furnas, pp.260-262
669:Sep 20, 1919 - Jun 19, 1920
659:Jul 07, 1919 - Jul 12, 1919
644:Sep 20, 1919 - Jun 19, 1920
634:Jul 07, 1919 - Jul 12, 1919
621:Sep 20, 1919 - Jun 19, 1920
611:Jul 07, 1919 - Jul 12, 1919
596:Sep 20, 1919 - Jun 19, 1920
583:Sep 20, 1919 - Jun 19, 1920
571:Jul 07, 1919 - Jul 12, 1919
556:Sep 20, 1919 - Jun 19, 1920
541:Sep 20, 1919 - Jun 19, 1920
531:Jul 07, 1919 - Jul 12, 1919
518:Feb 16, 1920 - Jun 19, 1920
499:Sep 20, 1919 - Feb 14, 1920
484:Sep 20, 1919 - Jun 19, 1920
469:Jul 07, 1919 - Jun 19, 1920
1227:"Blackstone Theatre (ad)".
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954:. Samuel French, New York.
711:Actors' Equity Association
950:Booth Tarkington (1920).
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378:suggested a then unknown
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776:The Brooklyn Daily Eagle
993:Tyler and Furnas, p.294
984:Tyler and Furnas, p.274
508:Edward Childs Carpenter
342:Same, the next morning.
1304:. Bobbs Merrill, 1934.
1297:. Samuel French, 1920.
1093:Press of Atlantic City
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707:Hollis Street Theatre
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276:Glenn Hunter as Bobby
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1191:Brooklyn Daily Eagle
1050:"Theatrical Notes".
931:and New York Avenue.
392:Romance and Arabella
759:Alexander Woollcott
443:
415:Alexander Woollcott
365:Original production
320:Same, that evening.
1293:Booth Tarkington.
1131:The New York Times
1008:The New York Times
882:George Archainbaud
861:William C. deMille
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456:Notes and sources
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396:The Country Cousin
388:The Country Cousin
376:Alexandra Carlisle
313:
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126:The Country Cousin
116:is a 1919 play by
63:September 20, 1919
55:Frederick Stanhope
1210:The Evening World
916:Klaw and Erlanger
782:The Evening World
741:Ramsey Milholland
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593:Susanne Westford
404:The Man from Home
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78:Original language
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157:1937 sound movie
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427:Up From Nowhere
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651:Hubert Stem
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1012:NYTimes.com
874:(1937 film)
853:(1922 film)
839:Adaptations
817:Ruth Gordon
802:Ruth Gordon
771:Mary Boland
753:Glen Hunter
691:Helen Hayes
687:Alfred Lunt
618:Rea Martin
552:Mary Boland
538:John Flood
495:Helen Hayes
480:Glen Hunter
465:Alfred Lunt
380:Alfred Lunt
245:Hubert Stem
227:Mrs. Martyn
202:Mr. Wheeler
141:Glen Hunter
137:Helen Hayes
122:Alfred Lunt
52:Directed by
34:Alfred Lunt
1312:Categories
1273:Daily News
939:References
878:Seena Owen
628:Dinwiddie
370:Background
252:Voice Only
239:Dinnwiddie
196:Supporting
163:Characters
42:Written by
960:Citations
929:Boardwalk
461:Clarence
410:Seventeen
355:Who's Who
346:Who's Who
328:Who's Who
872:Clarence
851:Clarence
832:Clarence
809:Clarence
763:Clarence
749:Clarence
703:Clarence
683:Clarence
431:Clarence
265:Synopsis
221:Featured
177:Clarence
149:Clarence
113:Clarence
22:Clarence
1150:The Sun
359:Curtain
332:Curtain
316:Act III
303:Curtain
289:Curtain
102:Setting
86:Subject
81:English
767:Barrie
761:said "
733:. The
678:Tryout
603:Della
453:Dates
450:Actor
338:Act IV
295:Act II
155:and a
139:, and
97:Comedy
36:(1919)
893:Notes
447:Role
281:Act I
258:Rosie
233:Della
94:Genre
844:Film
815:and
800:and
437:Cast
425:and
417:and
407:and
171:Lead
506:by
504:Bab
386:'s
1314::
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