INFORMATION TO USERS This material was produced from a microfilm copy of the original document. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the original submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or patterns which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or "target" for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is "Missing Page(s)". If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting thru an image and duplicating adjacent pages to insure you complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a large round black mark, it is an indication that the photographer suspected that the copy may have moved during exposure and thus cause a blurred image. You will find it good image of the page in the adjacent frame. 3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., was part of the material being photographed the photographer followed a definite method in "sectioning" the material. It is customary to begin photoing at the upper —■ left hand corner of a large sheet asd to continue photoing from !$ft to right in equal sections with a small overlap. If necessary, sectioning is continued again — beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete. 4. The majority of users indicate that the textual content is of greatest value, however, a somewhat higher quality reproduction could be made from "photographs" if essential to the understanding of the dissertation. Silver prints of "photographs" may be ordered at additional charge by writing the Order Department, giving the catalog number, title, author and specific pages you wish reproduced. 5. PLEASE NOTE: Some pages may have indistinct print. Filmed as received. University Microfilms International 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 USA St. John's Road, Tyler’s Green High Wycombe, Bucks, England HP10 8HR l 77-31,973 SHEA, Maureen Ann, 1950* THE PLAYWRITING TECHNIQUE OF S. N. BEHRMAN: THE THEATRE GUILD YEARS, 1927-1938. The Ohio State University, Ph.D., 1977 Theater University Microfilms International t Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 Copyright by Maureen Ann Shea 1977 THE PLAYWRITING TECHN IQ.UE OF S. N. BEHRMAN: THE THEATRE GUILD YEARS, 1927-1938 DISSERTATION Presented in P artial Fulfillm ent of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Maureen Ann Shea, B.A., M.A. •j- The Ohio State University 1977 Read i ng Commi ttee: Approved By Roy H. Bower Alan L. Woods John C. Morrow ✓^Advi ser Department of Theatre For My Parents i i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to acknowledge my considerable debt to Dr. Roy H. Bowen, Dr Alan L. Woods, and Dr. John C. Morrow. Their liberal guidance and constructive c ritic is m were invaluable to the progress of this study. Through his example as a stage d irector and teacher, Dr. Bowen has been a constant source of encouragement, and for having experienced his wisdom, patience, and felicity, I am extremely grateful. I am indebted to the s ta ff of the Wisconsin State H istorical Socie for their efficiency in providing Behrman's manuscripts. For allowing me to participate in the film ing of Behrman's End of Summer for PBS's "Theater in America" series, I wish to express my gratitude to Dr. Alan L. Woods, Dr. John A. Walker, Dr. George E. Bogusch, Richard G. Fallon, and the s ta ff of the Charles MacArthur Center for American Theatre in Tallahassee, Florida. Also, my thanks to Robert F. Gross, J r., who generously assisted me in the task of transcribing Behrman's notes and correspondence. Special mention should also be made of the Gross family for their grace and hospi t a li ty. F in a lly , help and encouragement came from my family and friends, to whom I extend my sincere appreciation and love. VITA December 29, 1950 ................................... Born - Worcester, Massachusetts 1972 ................................................................. B.A., Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts 1973 ................................................................. M.A., University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 1973-1977 .................................................. Teaching Associate, Department of Theatre, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio PUBLICATIONS "Nance O'Neil: Power and Passion on the American Stage." Theatre Studies 21 (197^): 61—69• FIELDS OF STUDY Theatre History ............................................................ Alan L. Woods Alfred S. Golding Theatre Production .................................................. Roy H. Bowen Dramatic Literature £• Criticism ................... John C. Morrow Donald R. Glancy TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DEDICATION.................................................................................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................................................................................. i ii VITA ................................................................................................................................................ iv Chapter I. INTRODUCTION Review of Previous Literature ....................................................... 1 Scope and Purpose ..................................................................................... 5 Biographical Data and Influences ............................................. 6 I I . THE SECOND MAN Literary Sources ..................................................................................... 28 First-Draft Synopsis ........................................................................... 36 R e v is io n s ......................................................................................................... kS C o n c lu s io n ............................................................................... 57 I I I . METEOR Literary Sources ..................................................................................... 60 First-Draft Synopsis ........................................................................... 67 Character Prototypes ........................................................................... 78 R e v is io n s ......................................................................................................... 85 C o n c lu s io n .................................................................................................... 102 ! V. BIOGRAPHY Literary Sources ..................................................................................... 108 Character Prototypes ........................................................................... 110 F irs t-D ra ft Synopsis ........................................................................... 136 R e v is io n s ......................................................................................................... 151 C o n c lu s io n .................................................................................................... 160 V. RAIN FROM HEAVEN Literary Sources ..................................................................................... 163 Character Prototypes ........................................................................... 169 F irs t-D ra ft Synopsis ........................................................................... I 98 R e v is io n s ......................................................................................................... 207 C o n c lu s io n .................................................................................................... 217 v VI. END OF SUMMER Literary Sources ..................................................................................... 219 Character Prototypes ........................................................................... 226 F irs t-D ra ft Synopsis ........................................................................... 250 R e v i s i o n s .................................................................................................... 253 C onclusion.................................................................................................... 267 VI L WINE OF CHOICE Literary Sources ..................................................................................... 270 Character Prototypes ........................................................................... 27^f F irs t-D ra ft Synopsis ........................................................................... 293 R e v i s i o n s .................................................................................................... 299 C onclusion.................................................................................................... 316 CONCLUSIONS............................................................................................................................. 318 BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................................ 330 APPENDIX .................................................................................................................................. 338 VL CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION The hardest thing in the world— to w rite a play. Behrman, End of Summer Notebook, p. 37* The playw riting career of S. N. Behrman has been studied by various scholars in dissertations ranging in approach