The Old Lady Shows Her Medals facts for kids
The Old Lady Shows Her Medals is a play written by J. M. Barrie, who is also famous for creating Peter Pan. This play was first released in 1918 as part of his book Echoes of the War. This book also included other stories like The New Word and Barbara's Wedding. The story of The Old Lady Shows Her Medals takes place during World War I, specifically on the "home front." This means it shows what life was like for people who stayed in their own country while the war was happening far away.
Contents
About the Play
What is the Play About?
The play tells the story of a kind old lady named Mrs. Dowey. She feels sad because she doesn't have a son fighting in the war, unlike many other mothers. To feel like she's part of the war effort, she pretends to have a son who is a brave soldier. She even buys medals to show off, making it seem like her "son" earned them.
One day, she meets a real soldier who is on leave from the war. He is a Scottish soldier named Kenneth Dowey. Because they share the same last name, Mrs. Dowey pretends he is her son. This leads to a heartwarming and sometimes funny story about family, honesty, and the desire to belong during a difficult time.
Why Was It Written?
J. M. Barrie wrote this play during World War I. Many people were dealing with the war's impact. The play explores themes of loneliness, the need for connection, and how people coped with the challenges of wartime. It shows how even small acts of kindness and imagination could bring comfort.
Adaptations of the Play
The Old Lady Shows Her Medals has been turned into different forms of entertainment over the years.
Film Adaptations
The play was made into a movie called Seven Days' Leave in 1930. This film starred the famous actor Gary Cooper. Parts of the play's story also appeared in another movie from 1933 called Lady for a Day.
Television and Musical Versions
In 1937, the play was adapted for television. It kept its original name, The Old Lady Shows Her Medals. Later, in 1960, the play became a one-act musical. David Rogers wrote the new script, and Mark Bucci composed the music for it.
