Miss Lulu Bett (play) facts for kids
Miss Lulu Bett is a play from 1920. It was written by an American author named Zona Gale. She turned her own novel, also called Miss Lulu Bett, into this play.
About the Play's Production
The play Miss Lulu Bett first opened on Broadway in New York City. This happened at the Belmont Theatre on December 27, 1920. It ran for 198 performances and closed on June 18, 1921.
Brock Pemberton directed the play. The main actors included Carroll McComas as Lulu Bett. Louise Closser Hale played Mrs. Bett. William E. Holden was Dwight Herbert Deacon. Willard Robertson played Neil Cornish.
Awards and Recognition
Miss Lulu Bett won a very important award in 1921. It received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This award is given to the best American play each year.
A writer named Robert C. Benchley wrote about the play. He said that Zona Gale broke some old theater rules. She made the characters talk like real people. This made the play feel very true to life. People really enjoyed it because it was so honest.
Meet the Characters
Here are some of the main characters you would meet in Miss Lulu Bett:
- Lulu Bett – She is a woman in her 30s. She lives with her sister's family.
- Mrs. Bett – She is Lulu's mother. She also lives in the same house.
- Ina – She is Lulu's sister.
- Dwight Deacon – He is Lulu's brother-in-law.
- Mr. Cornish – He is a man who shows interest in Lulu. He also shows interest in Di, the younger daughter. He owns his own business.
- Ninian Deacon – He is Dwight's brother. He has been away for many years. He lived in places like South and Central America.
- Monona - She is Dwight and Ina's youngest daughter.
- Diana (Di) - She is Dwight and Ina's older daughter. She is dating Bobby Larkin.
- Bobby Larkin - He is Di's boyfriend. He is a young man from the town.
The Film Version
The play and novel Miss Lulu Bett were also made into a movie. The film came out in 1921. It had the same name as the play.
William C. deMille directed the movie. The actors included Lois Wilson as Lulu Bett. Milton Sills played Neil Cornish. Theodore “Daddy” Roberts was Dwight Deacon. Helen Ferguson played Diana Deacon. Ethel Wales was Grandma Bett.
