On the Spot (play)

On the Spot is a 1930 Chicago-set play by the British writer Edgar Wallace. Wallace was inspired by a visit to the United States and, in particular, the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre. Known as a prolific author, he reportedly dictated the manuscript for the play in just four days.[1] It was his greatest theatrical success.[1]

On the Spot
Written byEdgar Wallace
Date premiered2 April 1930
Place premieredWyndham's Theatre
Original languageEnglish
GenreCrime
SettingChicago

It lasted for 342 performances on its original West End run. Beginning at Wyndham's Theatre, it later transferred to the Cambridge Theatre.[2] The lead role of a Capone-like gangster Tony Perelli was played by Charles Laughton with Emlyn Williams as his henchman and Gillian Lind playing Perelli's Chinese mistress.[1] Other cast members included Roy Emerton, Carol Reed, Dennis Wyndham and Gladys Frazin.[2]

It transferred to America in October 1930 and ran for 167 performances at the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia.[2] In 1931, Wallace novelised the play using the same title.

Adaptation

It was adapted as an American film Dangerous to Know (1938). Directed by Robert Florey for Paramount Pictures it starred Anna May Wong and Akim Tamiroff.[3]

References

  1. Kabatchnik p. 172
  2. Wearing p. 20
  3. Goble p. 488

Bibliography

  • Goble, Alan. The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter, 1999.
  • Kabatchnik, Amnon. Blood on the Stage, 1975-2000: Milestone Plays of Crime, Mystery, and Detection : an Annotated Repertoire. Rowman & Littlefield, 2012.
  • Wearing, J. P. The London Stage 1930–1939: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel. Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.