American playwright (1888–1953) who occupies a central place in the history of twentieth-century drama. Among his most famous works are The Iceman Cometh, Mourning Becomes Electra, and Long Day’s Journey into Night. A four-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, he was also awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1936. Scarce ALS, two pages, 5 x 6.5, April 2, 1922. In part, “It is extremely gratifying to know you think so highly of ‘The Hairy Ape’ and my work in general. Letters like yours are my greatest encouragements. They mean more than I can tell you. Would you care to be of help to the ‘Hairy Ape’? It is to open in an uptown theatre…we anticipate - (perhaps mistakenly) - a great storm of protest on the part of the moral pesterers about the ’strong’ language, etc. in the play. It would do much to counteract such silly criticism if the people who believe otherwise would write to the dramatic editors or critics. Wolcott of the Times or Macgowan of the Globe, say - voicing their opinions. Coming from women these letters would be doubly effective; for even if there was no space to print them they would undoubtedly influence the comment. Of course, such controversy may never break out. Lets hope for the sake of American right-sightedness it never does. But with so much twaddle about censorship in the air you never can tell. So if you see any screeches of the shocked in the papers three weeks from now it would be a great favor if you would send a rebuttal.” In fine condition, with some mild toning and soiling, and a small separation along edge of central horizontal mailing fold.
O’Neill was quite right in his predicted response to The Hairy Ape. Upon opening in 1922, the play became the target of censorship and criticism for its “squalid” language. The New York City Police Department filed a complaint asking that performances cease because they were “obscene, indecent and impure.” However, the political views that capitalism—the American way of life—oppressed the working class was perhaps more shocking, and troubling, to viewers. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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