Four of Mr. Williams' lesser-known, but still powerful plays. "Summer and Smoke" - also known as "Eccentricities of a Nightingale" - is a sensitive character study of two small-town children, a doctor's son and a preacher's daughter. We follow the relationship of the wild boy and the prim girl through early adulthood, when we discover they have learned from each other, and taken on attributes of the other. Sad, poetic, and poignant. Beautiful.
"Orpheus Descending" - also known by its filmed version titled "The Fugitive Kind" - is another small town tragedy revolving around a sensuous traveling minstrel and the neglected wife of a dying department store owner. Both are looking for something more from life, and they find it, however briefly, in each other. A haunting story, spun with the gold of Tennessee Williams' words.
"Suddenly Last Summer" - the original play upon which the Elizabeth Taylor and Katherine Hepburn film was based - is another stunner. Eccentric characters and a bizarre story of abandonment, homosexuality, cannibalism, carnivorous plants, and emotional bribery combine in a horror story of murder and insanity. One of Tennessee Williams' best, IMO.
"Period of Adjustment" is not my favorite play. The comic story of two couples on Christmas eve. In my opinion it commits the ultimate sin for a comedy - it's just not funny. But, that's only my opinion. Obviously, others disagree, as it was made into a successful film with Jane Fonda and Anthony Franciosa. But not my cup of tea. It's more situation comedy than the usual depth of emotional despair created by Mr. Williams. Still, better than most situation comedies, I suppose. It does have a lot to say about returning veterans from war (in this instance, the Korean War).
I would grab this book, if you have the opportunity. These short plays are terrific to pick up over and over again, as there is always something to discover, even after many readings.
"Orpheus Descending" - also known by its filmed version titled "The Fugitive Kind" - is another small town tragedy revolving around a sensuous traveling minstrel and the neglected wife of a dying department store owner. Both are looking for something more from life, and they find it, however briefly, in each other. A haunting story, spun with the gold of Tennessee Williams' words.
"Suddenly Last Summer" - the original play upon which the Elizabeth Taylor and Katherine Hepburn film was based - is another stunner. Eccentric characters and a bizarre story of abandonment, homosexuality, cannibalism, carnivorous plants, and emotional bribery combine in a horror story of murder and insanity. One of Tennessee Williams' best, IMO.
"Period of Adjustment" is not my favorite play. The comic story of two couples on Christmas eve. In my opinion it commits the ultimate sin for a comedy - it's just not funny. But, that's only my opinion. Obviously, others disagree, as it was made into a successful film with Jane Fonda and Anthony Franciosa. But not my cup of tea. It's more situation comedy than the usual depth of emotional despair created by Mr. Williams. Still, better than most situation comedies, I suppose. It does have a lot to say about returning veterans from war (in this instance, the Korean War).
I would grab this book, if you have the opportunity. These short plays are terrific to pick up over and over again, as there is always something to discover, even after many readings.
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