John Patrick (dramatist) facts for kids

John Patrick (born May 17, 1905 – died November 7, 1995) was a famous American writer. He wrote many plays for the stage and screenplays for movies. He is best known for his award-winning play The Teahouse of the August Moon.

About John Patrick

John Patrick was born John Patrick Goggin in Louisville, Kentucky. He had a tough childhood. His parents left him, and he grew up in different foster homes and boarding schools.

Early Career and Radio Days

When he was 19, John got a job as an announcer at KPO Radio in San Francisco, California. In 1925, he married Mildred Legaye. He wrote over 1,000 scripts for a popular radio show called Cecil and Sally. This show was on the air from 1928 to 1933. John Patrick and Helen Troy were the only actors on the show. Later, in 1937, he wrote adaptations for NBC's Streamlined Shakespeare series, which featured famous actress Helen Hayes.

First Plays and War Service

John Patrick's first play, Hell Freezes Over, was shown on Broadway in 1935. It didn't run for long, but it helped him get noticed in Hollywood as a scriptwriter. Another early play, Glory Lane, premiered in California in 1935.

In 1942, his play The Willow and I was produced. It starred famous actors Martha Scott and Gregory Peck. Before this play opened, John Patrick joined the American Field Service. This group provided medical help to the British Army during World War II. He served in Egypt, India, and Burma. His experiences during the war gave him ideas for his next play, The Hasty Heart. He finished writing it on the ship back to the U.S. after the war.

The Hasty Heart became a huge success! It was even made into a movie in 1949, starring Ronald Reagan. It was also adapted for TV in 1983.

Major Successes and Awards

After The Hasty Heart, John Patrick wrote The Curious Savage (1950) and Lo and Behold (1951). But his biggest success came in 1953 with his play The Teahouse of the August Moon. This play was based on a novel by Vern J. Sneider. It won both the Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award for drama. These are two of the highest honors for plays in America!

John Patrick also adapted The Teahouse of the August Moon for a movie in 1956. He later turned it into a musical called Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen in 1970. He also wrote screenplays for other popular movies, including Three Coins in the Fountain (1954) and Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955).

Later Life and Legacy

His play Good as Gold (1957) was not as popular. For the rest of his career, he mostly focused on writing successful screenplays for movies. After the success of The Hasty Heart, John Patrick bought a large property in New York. He later moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

John Patrick passed away on November 7, 1995, at the age of 90. Today, he is best remembered for his movie scripts, but his plays are still enjoyed by community theaters. His collection of books, letters, and writings is kept at Boston University.

Notable Works

Theatre Productions

Screenplays

Television Scripts

• "Teahouse of the August Moon," Hallmark Hall of Fame, NBC, 1962

Awards and Nominations

• Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1954) for The Teahouse of the August Moon
• Tony Award (1954) for The Teahouse of the August Moon
• Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, Original Motion Picture Story for The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)

See also

In Spanish: John Patrick para niños