The Cow Jumped Over the Moon
| The Cow Jumped Over the Moon | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Sumner Locke Elliott |
| Date premiered | 30 October 1937[1] |
| Place premiered | Independent Theatre, Sydney |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | comedy |
The Cow Jumped Over the Moon is a 1937 Australian stage play by Sumner Locke Elliott. It was the first stage play by Elliott who was only twenty years old when it debuted.[2][3]
Elliott's biographer said the play influenced almost every novel he wrote.[4]
Reception[edit]
Reviewing the original production at the Independent Theatre the Sydney Morning Herald said "Dialogue is brisk, convincing, and studded with certain laughs; characterisation is excellent; and the plot is well conceived and skilfully developed. It lacks the self-conscious amateur touch of most Australian plays, and must be rated among the best local efforts of the year."[5] Another critic wrote "Apart from the bright story and snappy lines, this comedy is so well written that every character gets into the spotlight."[6] The Bulletin said "The play drew a crowded audience, and, what is more, kept its laughter and interest right till the final curtain."[7]
The play was performed for a season in Los Angeles at the Call Board Theatre in 1938.[8] The play had been suggested by William Rees, formerly of Sydney who then lived in Los Angeles.[9]
The play was seen by scouts from MGM who at one stage reportedly considered it for a vehicle for Billie Burke but decided against it on the grounds it was too similar to The Vinegar Tree.[10]
Elliott later recalled the play "took about three days to complete, which is easily understandable if you take into consideration it is merely The Vinegar Tree with artificial colouring. . . . On the opening night a fuse blew out in the second act requiring most of the act to be played with the house lights on and seemed to me at the time a major catastrophe. I think I gave a rather conceited opening night speech and | received an anonymous letter about my profanity."[11]
Premise[edit]
A widowed middle aged woman meets an ex boyfriend.
References[edit]
- ^ "THE INDEPENDENT THEATRE". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 31, 147. New South Wales, Australia. 30 October 1937. p. 10. Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Stage and Sereen Personalities". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 26 October 1937. p. 8 Supplement: Women's Supplement. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "AT THE SYDNEY TIVOLI". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 23 October 1937. p. 15 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Clarke, Sharon (1995). Sumner Locke Elliott: writing life. University of Woollongong. p. 216.
- ^ "Comedy In The English Manner". The Daily Telegraph. Vol. II, no. 192. New South Wales, Australia. 1 November 1937. p. 6. Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "THEATRICAL THEMES". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 30 July 1938. p. 15 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "A WOMAN'S LETTER", The Bulletin, ISSN 0007-4039, nla.obj-574086335, retrieved 5 September 2023 – via Trove
- ^ ""STARS OF THE AIR" SUMNER LOCKE-ELLIOTT—PLAYWRIGHT, ACTOR AND SOLDIER". Wodonga and Towong Sentinel. Vic.: National Library of Australia. 15 December 1944. p. 1. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "Spotlight on Society". The Sun. No. 8921. New South Wales, Australia. 9 August 1938. p. 11 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Round Melbourne Shows..." The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 12 June 1946. p. 13 Supplement: Woman's Magazine. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ Rees, Leslie (1987). Australian drama, 1970-1985 : a historical and critical survey. p. 183.