Sweet Kitty Bellairs (play)

Henrietta Crosman as Kitty Bellairs in 1903
Henrietta Crosman as Kitty Bellairs

Sweet Kitty Bellairs is a play in a prologue and four acts by David Belasco.[1] It is based on the novel The Bath Comedy (1900) by married writing team Agnes and Egerton Castle.[2] The work premiered at the Lafayette Square Opera House in Washington D.C. on November 23, 1903.[3] The production transferred to Broadway; opening at the Belasco Theatre on December 9, 1903.[2] A success, it ran there for a total of 204 performances; closing on June 4, 1904.[4] The production starred Henrietta Crosman in the title role.[1] Others in the cast included Katherine Florence (1874–1952) as Lady Standish, John E. Kellerd (1862–1929) as Lord Standish, Edwin Stevens as Colonel Villiers, Charles Hammond as Lord Verney, and Mark Smith as the Master of Ceremonies among others.[5]

Adaptations

Belasco's play, along with its novel source material, was the basis for two film adaptions which both named themselves after the play. The first was the a 1916 silent film adaptation starring Mae Murray as Kitty Bellairs. It was made by Paramount Pictures and was directed by James Young.[6] The second was a 1930 musical film adaptation directed by Alfred E. Green. Made by Warner Bros., it starred Claudia Dell in the title role.[7]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b "MISS CROSMAN'S NEW PLAY.; Appears in "Sweet Kitty Bellairs" Under David Belnsco's Management". The New York Times. November 26, 1903. p. 4.
  2. ^ a b "HENRIETTA CROSMAN AS SWEET KITTY BELLAIRS; Debut of the Popular Actress Under Belasco's Management. The Apotheosis of the Dramatized Novel a Splendid Production and a Capable Cast -- J.E. Kellard, Edwin Stevens, Charles Hammond, and Katherine Florence". The New York Times. December 10, 1903. p. 5.
  3. ^ Winter 1920, p. 94-95.
  4. ^ Winter 1920, p. 103.
  5. ^ Harry P. Hanaford, ed. (December 28, 1903). "Belasco Theatre". The Cast. 14 (187): 318.
  6. ^ Ankerich, Michael G. (2012). Mae Murray: The Girl with the Bee-Stung Lips. University Press of Kentucky. p. 52. ISBN 978-0-8131-4038-4.
  7. ^ Bradley 2004, p. 195.

Bibliography


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