George Middleton (playwright) facts for kids

Actress Mary Philbin and George Middleton in 1923

George Middleton (born October 27, 1880, in Paterson, New Jersey – died December 23, 1967, in Washington, D.C.) was an American writer, director, and producer for the theater. He was known for writing many plays, especially short, one-act plays. He also worked hard to protect the rights of playwrights.

George Middleton's Career in Theater

In 1902, George Middleton started his professional career. He helped adapt a novel called The Cavalier for the stage. This means he helped turn the book into a play. He worked with Paul Kester and the book's author, George W. Cable.

Writing Plays and Collaborations

In 1911, Middleton published a book called Embers: And Other One-Act Plays. This was one of the first collections of short, one-act plays published by an American writer. Middleton wrote many one-act plays and strongly believed in this type of theater.

He often worked with another writer named Guy Bolton. One of their big successes was the comedy Polly With a Past (1917). This play ran for 315 performances, which means it was shown on stage over 300 times! It also helped make actress Ina Claire a star. Later, a movie version was made in 1920. In 1929, a musical called Polly was also based on it.

In 1919, Middleton and Bolton had another hit with their play Adam and Eva. A theater critic named Burns Mantle even chose it as one of the best plays of 1919–1920. This play was also made into a movie.

Besides writing his own plays, Middleton also translated plays from French. He also adapted novels into plays for the stage.

Fighting for Playwrights' Rights

George Middleton was an early champion for the rights of playwrights. Playwrights are the people who write plays. He played a key role in creating the Minimum Basic Agreement. This agreement helped make sure playwrights were treated fairly. He was also important in the 1926 effort to get theater managers to agree to its terms.

From 1927 to 1929, he served as the president of the Dramatists Guild of America. This is an organization that supports playwrights. In 1947, he published his life story, called These Things are Mine. Many people liked his book.

George Middleton's Personal Life

Middleton graduated from Columbia University in 1902.

On October 29, 1911, Middleton married actress Flora Dodge 'Fola' La Follette. She was also a suffragette, meaning she supported women's right to vote. Fola was the oldest child of U.S. Senator Robert Marion La Follette, Sr. from Wisconsin and Belle Case La Follette. Middleton's one-act play Tradition was inspired by his wife.