David Belasco (July 25, 1853 – May 14, 1931) was an American

theatrical producer A theatrical producer is a person who oversees all aspects of mounting a theatre production. The producer is responsible for the overall financial and managerial functions of a production or venue, raises or provides financial backing, and hire ...

impresario An impresario (from the Italian ''impresa'', "an enterprise or undertaking") is a person who organizes and often finances concerts, plays, or operas, performing a role in stage arts that is similar to that of a film or television producer. His ...

, director, and

playwright A playwright or dramatist is a person who writes plays. Etymology The word "play" is from Middle English pleye, from Old English plæġ, pleġa, plæġa ("play, exercise; sport, game; drama, applause"). The word "wright" is an archaic English ...

. He was the first writer to adapt the short story ''

Madame Butterfly ''Madama Butterfly'' (; ''Madame Butterfly'') is an opera in three acts (originally two) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It is based on the short story " Madame Butterfly" (1898) by John Lut ...

'' for the stage. He launched the theatrical career of many actors, including James O'Neill,

Mary Pickford Gladys Marie Smith (April 8, 1892 – May 29, 1979), known professionally as Mary Pickford, was a Canadian-American stage and screen actress and producer with a career that spanned five decades. A pioneer in the US film industry, she co-founde ...

Lenore Ulric Lenore Ulric (born Lenore Ulrich; July 21, 1892 – December 30, 1970) was a star of the Broadway theatre as well as Hollywood films of the silent-film and early sound era. Discovered in 1913 by theater director David Belasco, who would go on ...

, and

Barbara Stanwyck Barbara Stanwyck (; born Ruby Catherine Stevens; July 16, 1907 – January 20, 1990) was an American actress, model and dancer. A stage, film, and television star, during her 60-year professional career she was known for her strong, realistic sc ...

. Belasco pioneered many innovative new forms of stage lighting and special effects in order to create realism and naturalism.Osnes, Beth, and Gill, Sam. ''Acting: An International Encyclopedia'', ABC-CLIO (2001) p. 34Marker, Lise-Lone, ''David Belasco: Naturalism in the American Theater'', Princeton Univ. Press (1975)

Early years

David Belasco was born in 1853 in San Francisco, California, the son of Abraham H. Belasco (1830–1911) and Reyna Belasco (née Nunes, 1830–1899),

Sephardic Sephardic (or Sephardi) Jews (, ; lad, Djudíos Sefardíes), also ''Sepharadim'' , Modern Hebrew: ''Sfaradim'', Tiberian: Səp̄āraddîm, also , ''Ye'hude Sepharad'', lit. "The Jews of Spain", es, Judíos sefardíes (or ), pt, Judeus sefa ...

Jews who had immigrated to the United States from London's Spanish and Portuguese Jewish community during the

California Gold Rush The California Gold Rush (1848–1855) was a gold rush that began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The news of gold brought approximately 300,000 people to California f ...

. He began working as a youth in a San Francisco theater doing a variety of routine jobs, such as call boy, script copier, or as an extra in small parts. He received his first experience as a stage manager while on the road. He said, "We used to play in any place we could hire or get intoa hall, a big dining room, an empty barn; any place that would take us." From late 1873 to early 1874, he worked as an actor, director, and secretary at

Piper's Opera House Piper's Opera House is a historic performing arts venue in Virginia City, Storey County, Nevada in the United States. Piper's served as a training facility in 1897 for heavyweight boxing champion Gentleman Jim Corbett, in preparation for his tit ...

Virginia City, Nevada Virginia City is a census-designated place (CDP) that is the county seat of Storey County, Nevada, and the largest community in the county. The city is a part of the Reno– Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area. Virginia City developed as a boom ...

, where he found "more reckless women and desperadoes to the square foot…than anywhere else in the world". His developmental years as a supporting player in Virginia City colored his thoughts and eventually helped him to conceive realistic stage settings. He said that while working there, seeing "people die under such peculiar circumstances" made him

"all the more particular in regard to the psychology of dying on the stage. I think I was one of the first to bring naturalness to bear in death scenes, and my varied Virginia City experiences did much to help me toward this. Later I was to go deeper into such studies."

His recollections of that time were published in ''Hearst's Magazine'' in 1914. By March 1874, he was back at work in San Francisco, eventually managing Thomas Maguire's Baldwin Theater. When Maguire lost the theater in 1882, Belasco relocated to the East Coast, bringing his practical western experiences with him. The West allowed him to develop his talents as not only a performer, but in progressive production design and execution. A gifted playwright, Belasco went to New York City in 1882. He worked as stage manager for the

Madison Square Theatre ''The Madison Square Theatre'' was a Broadway theatre in Manhattan, on the south side of 24th Street between Sixth Avenue and Broadway (which intersects Fifth Avenue near that point.) It was built in 1863, operated as a theater from 1865 to 1908, ...

(starting with ''

Young Mrs. Winthrop ''Young Mrs. Winthrop'' is a lost 1920 American silent drama film starring Ethel Clayton. It is based on the 1882 Victorian era Broadway play by Bronson Howard. The film was produced by Famous Players–Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictur ...

''), and then the old Lyceum Theatre, while also writing original plays. By 1895, he was so successful that he was considered America's most distinguished playwright and producer.

Career

During his long creative career, stretching between 1884 and 1930, Belasco either wrote, directed, or produced more than 100

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

plays, including '' Hearts of Oak'', '' The Heart of Maryland'', and ''Du Barry'', making him the most powerful personality on the New York City theater scene. He also helped establish careers for dozens of notable stage performers, many of whom went on to work in films. Among them were

Leslie Carter Leslie Barbara Ashton ( Carter, June 6, 1986 – January 31, 2012) was an American pop singer. In 2001, she debuted through DreamWorks Records with the single " Like Wow!". Originally set to release her debut album through the label, it was lat ...

, dubbed "The American Sarah Bernhardt," whose association with Belasco skyrocketed her to theatrical fame after her roles in ''

Zaza Zaza may refer to: Ethnic group * Zazas, a group of people in eastern Anatolia (southeastern Turkey) * Zaza–Gorani languages, Indo-Iranian languages ** Zaza language, spoken by the Zazas People Given name * Zaza Sor. Aree (born 1993), Thai kic ...

'' (1898) and ''Madame Du Barry'' (1901).

Ina Claire Ina Claire (born Ina Fagan; October 15, 1893February 21, 1985) was an American stage and film actress. Early years Ina Fagan was born October 15, 1893 in Washington, D.C. After the death of her father, Claire began doing imitations of fellow bo ...

's lead in ''Polly with a Past'' (1917) and ''The Gold Diggers'' (1919) similarly propelled her career. Belasco wrote a lead part for 18-year-old

Maude Adams Maude Ewing Adams Kiskadden (November 11, 1872 – July 17, 1953), known professionally as Maude Adams, was an American actress who achieved her greatest success as the character Peter Pan, first playing the role in the 1905 Broadway production ...

in his new play '' Men and Women'' (1890), which ran for 200 performances. Other stars whose careers he helped launch included

Jeanne Eagels Jeanne Eagels (born Eugenia Eagles; June 26, 1890 – October 3, 1929) was an American stage and film actress. A former Ziegfeld Girl, Eagels went on to greater fame on Broadway and in the emerging medium of sound films. She was posthumously n ...

, who would later achieve immortality as Sadie Thompson in ''Rain'' (1923), which played for 340 performances.Botto, Louis; Viagas, Robert
''At this Theatre: 100 Years of Broadway Shows, Stories and Stars''
Hal Leonard Corp. (2002) p. 28 Belasco discovered and managed the careers of

"Lenore Ulric, Broadway Star of Belasco Era, Is Dead at 78", ''The New York Times'', December 31, 1970 and

David Warfield David Warfield (November 28, 1866 – June 27, 1951) was an American stage actor. Life and career Warfield was born David Wohlfeld in San Francisco, California, to German-Jewish parents, Louise and Sigmund Wohlfeld. His first connection wi ...

, both of whom became major stars on Broadway. He launched the career of

, and was responsible for changing her name. Belasco is perhaps most famous for two works that were adapted as highly popular operas. He adapted the short story ''

'' as a play with the same name. He also wrote the play '' The Girl of the Golden West''. Both of these works were adapted as operas by Italian composer

Giacomo Puccini Giacomo Puccini ( Lucca, 22 December 1858Bruxelles, 29 November 1924) was an Italian composer known primarily for his operas. Regarded as the greatest and most successful proponent of Italian opera after Verdi, he was descended from a long ...

(''

Madama Butterfly ''Madama Butterfly'' (; ''Madame Butterfly'') is an opera in three acts (originally two) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It is based on the short story " Madame Butterfly" (1898) by John Lu ...

'' 1904—twice, after revision) and '' La fanciulla del West'' (1910). In other adaptations, more than forty

motion pictures A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

have been made from the many plays that Belasco wrote. Many prominent performers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries sought the opportunity to work with Belasco; among them were

D. W. Griffith David Wark Griffith (January 22, 1875 – July 23, 1948) was an American film director. Considered one of the most influential figures in the history of the motion picture, he pioneered many aspects of film editing and expanded the art of the n ...

Helen Hayes Helen Hayes MacArthur ( Brown; October 10, 1900 – March 17, 1993) was an American actress whose career spanned 80 years. She eventually received the nickname "First Lady of American Theatre" and was the second person and first woman to have w ...

Lillian Gish Lillian Diana Gish (October 14, 1893February 27, 1993) was an American actress, director, and screenwriter. Her film-acting career spanned 75 years, from 1912, in silent film shorts, to 1987. Gish was called the "First Lady of American Cinema", ...

and Cecil B. DeMille. DeMille's father had been close friends with Belasco. After DeMille graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he began his stage career under Belasco's guidance. DeMille's later methods of handling actors, using dramatic lighting and directing films, were modeled after Belasco's staging techniques. Pickford appeared in his plays ''The Warrens of Virginia'' at the first Belasco Theatre in 1907 and ''A Good Little Devil'' in 1913. The two remained in touch after Pickford began working in Hollywood; Belasco appeared with her in the 1914 film adaptation of ''A Good Little Devil''. He is credited as giving Pickford her stage name as well. He also worked with

Lionel Barrymore Lionel Barrymore (born Lionel Herbert Blythe; April 28, 1878 – November 15, 1954) was an American actor of stage, screen and radio as well as a film director. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in ''A Free Soul'' (1931 ...

, who starred in his play '' Laugh, Clown, Laugh'' opposite

Lucille Kahn Lucille may refer to: People People with the given name "Lucille": * Lucille Bailie (born 1969), Australian basketball player * Lucille Ball (1911–1989), American actress best known for the television series ''I Love Lucy'' * Lucille Berrien (b ...

, whose Broadway career Belasco launched. Belasco was a member of

The Lambs The Lambs, Inc. (also known as The Lambs Club) is a social club in New York City for actors, songwriters, and others involved in the theatre. It is America's oldest theatrical organization. "The Lambs" is a registered trademark of The Lambs, Inc ...

from 1893 to 1931.

Marriage

David Belasco was married to Cecilia Loverich for over fifty years. They had two daughters, Reina (who later married producer Morris Gest) and Augusta.

Death

Belasco died in 1931 at the age of 77 in Manhattan. He was interred in the Linden Hill Jewish Cemetery on Metropolitan Avenue in

Ridgewood, Queens Ridgewood is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. It borders the neighborhoods of Maspeth, Middle Village and Glendale, as well as the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bushwick and East Williamsburg. Historically, the neighborhood st ...

Influence on American theatre

Belasco demanded a natural acting style, and to complement that, he developed stage settings with authentic lighting effects to enhance his plays. His productions inspired several generations of theatre lighting designers. Belasco's contributions to modern stage and lighting techniques were originally not appreciated as much as those of his European counterparts, such as

André Antoine André Antoine (31 January 185823 October 1943) was a French actor, theatre manager, film director, author, and critic who is considered the father of modern mise en scène in France. Biography André Antoine was a clerk at the Paris Gas Utilit ...

and

Constantin Stanislavski Konstantin Sergeyevich Stanislavski ( Alekseyev; russian: Константин Сергеевич Станиславский, p=kənstɐnʲˈtʲin sʲɪrˈgʲejɪvʲɪtɕ stənʲɪˈslafskʲɪj; 7 August 1938) was a seminal Russian Soviet Fe ...

. But today he is regarded as "one of the first significant directorial figures in the history of the American theatre," writes theatre historian Lise-Lone Marker. He brought a new standard of naturalism to the American stage as the first to develop modern stage lighting, along with the use of colored lights, via motorized color changing wheels, to evoke mood and setting. America's earliest stage lighting manufacturer, Kliegl Brothers, began by serving the specialized needs of producers and directors such as Belasco and

Florenz Ziegfeld Florenz Edward Ziegfeld Jr. (; March 21, 1867 – July 22, 1932) was an American Broadway impresario, notable for his series of theatrical revues, the ''Ziegfeld Follies'' (1907–1931), inspired by the ''Folies Bergère'' of Paris. He also p ...

. With regard to these modern lighting effects, Belasco is best remembered for his production of ''Girl of the Golden West'' (1905), with the play opening to a spectacular sunset that lasted five minutes before any dialogue started. Belasco became one of the first directors to eschew the use of traditional footlights in favor of lights concealed below floor level, thereby hidden from the audience. His lighting assistant, Louis Hartmann, realized Belasco's design ideas. He also used 'follow spots' to further create realism and often tailored his lighting configurations to complement the complexions and hair color of the actors.Cox, Jim.
Sold on Radio: Advertisers in the Golden Age of Broadcasting
'. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland, 2008; reprint 2013. . He ordered a specially made 1000-watt lamp developed just for his own productions. He was the only director to have one for the first two years after its introduction (1914–1915). In his own theatres, the dressing rooms were equipped with lamps of several colors, allowing the performers to see how their makeup looked under different lighting conditions. Belasco was said to put appropriate scents to set scenes in the ventilation systems of the theaters, while his sets were highly detailed and sometimes spilled out into the audience area. In one play, for instance, an operational laundromat was built onstage. '' The Governor's Lady'' had a reproduction of a

Childs Restaurant Childs Restaurants was one of the first national dining chains in the United States and Canada, having peaked in the 1920s and 1930s with about 125 locations in dozens of markets, serving over 50,000,000 meals a year, with over $37 million in as ...

kitchen, where actors cooked and prepared food during the play. Childs Restaurant Scene in The Governor’s Lady

He is even said to have purchased a room in a flophouse, cut it out of the building, brought it to his theater, cut out one wall and presented it as the set for a production. Belasco's original scripts were often filled with long, specific descriptions of props and set dressings. He has not been noted for producing unusually naturalistic scenarios. Belasco both embraced existing theatre technology and sought to expand on it. Both of Belasco's New York theatres were built on the cutting edge of their era's technology. When Belasco took over the Republic Theatre, he drilled a new basement level to accommodate his machinery. He had the Stuyvesant Theatre specially constructed with great amounts of flyspace, hydraulics systems and lighting rigs. The basement of the Stuyvesant contained a working machine shop, where Belasco and his team experimented with lighting and other special effects. Many of the innovations developed in the Belasco shop were sold to other producers.

F. Scott Fitzgerald Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (September 24, 1896 – December 21, 1940) was an American novelist, essayist, and short story writer. He is best known for his novels depicting the flamboyance and excess of the Jazz Age—a term he popularize ...

refers to Belasco's reputation for realism in his novel ''

The Great Gatsby ''The Great Gatsby'' is a 1925 novel by American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. Set in the Jazz Age on Long Island, near New York City, the novel depicts first-person narrator Nick Carraway's interactions with mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby ...

'' (1925). A drunken visitor in the library of Gatsby's mansion exclaims in amazement that the books are genuine: "See!" he cried triumphantly. "It's a bona-fide piece of printed matter. It fooled me. This fella's a regular Belasco. It's a triumph. What thoroughness! What realism! Knew when to stop, too—didn't cut the pages."

Theatres

The first Belasco Theatre in New York was located at 229 West 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues, in the

Times Square Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment hub, and neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is formed by the junction of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street. Together with adjacent ...

district of Manhattan. Belasco took over management of the theater and completely remodeled it in 1902, only two years after it was constructed as the Theatre Republic by Oscar Hammerstein (the grandfather of the famous lyricist). He gave up the theater in 1910 and it was renamed the Republic. Under various owners, it went through a tumultuous period as a

burlesque A burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects.

venue, hosted second-run and, eventually, pornographic films and fell into a period of neglect before being rehabilitated and reopened as the

New Victory Theater The New Victory Theater is a theater at 209 West 42nd Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, near Times Square. Built in 1900 as the Republic Theatre (also Theatre Republic), it was designed by Albert Westover an ...

in 1995. The second

Belasco Theatre The Belasco Theatre is a Broadway theater at 111 West 44th Street, between Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue, in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Originally known as the Stuyvesant Theatre, it was built in 1907 a ...

is located at 111 West 44th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues, only a few blocks away from the New Victory. It was constructed in 1907 as the Stuyvesant Theatre and renamed after Belasco in 1910. The theater was built to Belasco's wishes, with Tiffany lighting and ceiling panels, rich woodwork and murals. His business office and private apartment were also housed there. The Belasco is still in operation as a Broadway venue with much of the original decor intact. In 2010 it underwent a massive US $14.5 million restoration, which strove to renovate and restore the theater to the condition it was in when David Belasco was alive. Belasco Theatres also existed in several other cities. In Los Angeles, the first Belasco Theatre was located at 337 S. Main St. The theater, which hosted the Belasco Stock Company, opened in 1904 and was operated by David Belasco's brother, Frederick. This theater was renamed twice: as the Republic in about 1913 and as the Follies, circa 1919. The theater eventually became a burlesque venue in the 1940s, fell into sharp decline, and was demolished in May 1974. The second, and perhaps more well known theatre in Los Angeles,

The Belasco ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

is located at 1050 S. Hill St in

Downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) contains the central business district of Los Angeles. In addition, it contains a diverse residential area of some 85,000 people, and covers . A 2013 study found that the district is home to over 500,000 jobs. It is a ...

. The theatre, which was built by Morgan, Walls & Clements, opened in 1926, and was managed by Edward Belasco, another of David's brothers. Many Hollywood stars with theatrical roots, as well as Broadway stars who were visiting the West Coast, appeared at the theatre. The theater declined after the death of Edward Belasco in 1937. After closing altogether in the early 1950s, the theater was used as a church for several decades. In 2010 - 2011, the theater underwent an extensive restoration, and is currently in operation as a nightclub and convention venue. The Shubert-Belasco Theatre, located in Washington, D.C., was purchased by Belasco in September 1905. Originally built in 1895 as the

Lafayette Square Opera House The Lafayette Square Opera House was an Opera House built in 1895, at 717 Madison Place, NW in Washington D.C. It was dedicated on 30 September 1895 by Lillian Russell, one of the most well known actress of the time, who was there to perform in ' ...

, at 717 Madison Place, across from the

White House The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., and has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in ...

, the theater was razed in 1962 and replaced by the U.S. Court of Claims building.

Selected plays

*'' Hearts of Oak'' (1879), by

James A. Herne James A. Herne (born James Ahearn; February 1, 1839 – June 2, 1901) was an American playwright and actor. He is considered by some critics to be the "American Ibsen", and his controversial play ''Margaret Fleming'' is often credited with havin ...

and David Belasco *''La Belle Russe'' (1882), by David Belasco *''May Blossom'' (1884), by David Belasco *''Lord Chumley'' (1888), by

Henry Churchill de Mille Henry Churchill de Mille (September 17, 1853 – February 10, 1893) was an American businessman and Georgist, and the father of film pioneers Cecil B. de Mille and William C. de Mille, and the paternal grandfather of the dancer and choreograph ...

and David Belasco *'' Men and Women'' (1890), by

and David Belasco *''The Girl I Left Behind Me'' (1893), by Franklin Fyles and David Belasco *''Pawn Ticket No. 210'' (1894), by Clay M. Greene and David Belasco *'' The Heart of Maryland'' (1895), by David Belasco *''Zaza'' (1898), by David Belasco (based on the play ''

'' by

Pierre Berton Pierre Francis de Marigny Berton, CC, O.Ont. (July 12, 1920 – November 30, 2004) was a Canadian writer, journalist and broadcaster. Berton wrote 50 best-selling books, mainly about Canadiana, Canadian history and popular culture. He also wr ...

and ) *''

'' (1900), by David Belasco (based on the short story ''

'' by

John Luther Long John Luther Long (January 1, 1861 – October 31, 1927) was an American lawyer and writer best known for his short story "Madame Butterfly", which was based on the recollections of his sister, Jennie Correll, who had been to Japan with her husba ...

) *''Du Barry'' (1901), by David Belasco * The Auctioneer (1901) *''Sweet Kitty Bellairs'' (1903), by David Belasco (based on the novel ''The Bath Comedy'' by

Agnes Castle Agnes Castle (c. 1860–1922) was a Victorian era Irish author who worked with both her sisters and husband. The stories that she co-wrote were the basis of several plays and films. Life Agnes Mary Frances Sweetman was born in County Dublin to Mi ...

and Egerton Castle) *'' The Music Master'' (1904), by

Charles Klein Charles Klein (January 7, 1867 – May 7, 1915) was an English-born playwright and actor who emigrated to America in 1883. Among his works was the libretto of John Philip Sousa's operetta, ''El Capitan''. Klein's talented siblings includ ...

*''Adrea'' (1905), by David Belasco and

*'' The Girl of the Golden West'' (1905), by David Belasco *''Rose of the Rancho'' (1906), by

Richard Walton Tully Richard Walton Tully (May 7, 1877 – February 1, 1945) was an American playwright. Biography Tully was born on May 7, 1877 in Nevada City, California. Tully was married to another playwright Eleanor Gates until he divorced her in 1914. His b ...

and David Belasco *''The Warrens of Virginia'' (1907), by

William C. deMille William Churchill deMille (July 25, 1878 – March 5, 1955), also spelled de Mille or De Mille, was an American screenwriter and film director from the silent film era through the early 1930s. He was also a noted playwright prior to moving into ...

*'' A Grand Army Man'' (1907) *''The Fighting Hope'' (1908), by William J. Hurlbut *''The Easiest Way'' (1909), by

Eugene Walter Eugene Ferdinand Walter, Jr. (November 30, 1921 – March 29, 1998) was an American screenwriter, poet, short-story author, actor, puppeteer, gourmet chef, cryptographer, translator, editor, costume designer and well-known raconteur. During his y ...

*''The Lily'' (1909), by David Belasco (based on the play ''Le Lys'' by

Pierre Wolff Pierre Wolff (1 January 1865, in Paris – 1944) was a French playwright. Biography Pierre Wolff was a Jewish writer, who wrote numerous plays, as well as some libretti for operettas. He was the nephew of journalist Albert Wolff. His dramas wer ...

and

Gaston Leroux Gaston Louis Alfred Leroux (6 May 186815 April 1927) was a French journalist and author of detective fiction. In the English-speaking world, he is best known for writing the novel '' The Phantom of the Opera'' (french: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra, ...

) *'' Just a Wife'' (1910), by

*''The Woman'' (1911), by

*''The Return of Peter Grimm'' (1911), by David Belasco *'' The Governor's Lady'' (1912), by Alice Bradley *''The Case of Becky'' (1912), by Edward Locke *''A Good Little Devil'' (1913), by

Austin Strong Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city ...

(based on the play ''Un bon petit diable'' by

Rosemonde Gérard Louise-Rose-Étiennette Gérard, known as Rosemonde Gérard (April 5, 1871, Paris – July 8, 1953, Paris) was a French poet and playwright. She was the wife of Edmond Rostand (1868–1918, author of ''Cyrano de Bergerac''), and was a granddaugh ...

and

Maurice Rostand Maurice Rostand (26 May 1891 – 21 February 1968) was a French author, the son of the poet and dramatist Edmond Rostand and the poet Rosemonde Gérard, and brother of the biologist Jean Rostand. Rostand was a writer of poems, novels, and plays ...

) *''

Seven Chances ''Seven Chances'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by and starring Buster Keaton, based on the play of the same name by Roi Cooper Megrue, produced in 1916 by David Belasco. Additional cast members include T. Roy Barnes, Snitz Ed ...

'' (1916), by

Roi Cooper Megrue Roi Cooper Megrue (June 12, 1882 – February 27, 1927) was an American playwright, producer, and director active on Broadway from 1914 to 1921. Biography Roi Cooper Megrue was born on June 12, 1882, in New York City, the son of the son of Frank ...

*''Tiger Rose'' (1917), by

Willard Mack Willard Mack (September 18, 1873 – November 18, 1934) was a Canadian-American actor, director, and playwright. Life and career He was born Charles Willard McLaughlin in Morrisburg, Ontario. At an early age his family moved to Brooklyn, New ...

*'' The Gold Diggers'' (1919), by

Avery Hopwood James Avery Hopwood (May 28, 1882 – July 1, 1928) was an American playwright of the Jazz Age. He had four plays running simultaneously on Broadway in 1920. Early life Hopwood was born to James and Jule Pendergast Hopwood on May 28, 1882 ...

*''The Son-Daughter'' (1919), by George Scarborough and David Belasco *''Kiki'' (1921), by David Belasco (based on the play ''Kiki'' by ) *''Shore Leave'' (1922), by Hubert Osborne *''Laugh, Clown, Laugh'' (1923), by

Tom Cushing Charles Cyprian Strong Cushing (October 27, 1879 – March 6, 1941) was an American playwright who wrote under the name Tom Cushing. Biography Cushing was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the son of William Lee Cushing, founder and headmaster of t ...

and David Belasco (based on the play ''Ridi, pagliaccio!'' by ) *''Ladies of the Evening'' (1924), by

Milton Herbert Gropper Milton may refer to: Names * Milton (surname), a surname (and list of people with that surname) ** John Milton (1608–1674), English poet * Milton (given name) ** Milton Friedman (1912–2006), Nobel laureate in Economics, author of '' Free t ...

*''The Dove'' (1925), by

(based on a story by Gerald Beaumont) *'' Lulu Belle'' (1926), by

Charles MacArthur Charles Gordon MacArthur (November 5, 1895 – April 21, 1956) was an American playwright, screenwriter and 1935 winner of the Academy Award for Best Story. Life and career MacArthur was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the sixth of seven chi ...

and

Edward Sheldon Edward Brewster Sheldon (Chicago, Illinois, February 4, 1886 – April 1, 1946, New York City) was an American dramatist. His plays include ''Salvation Nell'' (1908) and ''Romance'' (1913), which was made into a motion picture with Greta Garbo. ...

*''Tonight or Never'' (1930), by

Fanny Hatton Fanny Hatton (1875 – November 27, 1939) was an American playwright and screenwriter known for the works she wrote with her husband/writing partner, Frederic Hatton. The couple, who had many of their works presented on Broadway—were known for ...

and

Frederic Hatton Fanny Hatton (1875 – November 27, 1939) was an American playwright and screenwriter known for the works she wrote with her husband/writing partner, Frederic Hatton. The couple, who had many of their works presented on Broadway—were known for ...

(based on the play ''Ma este vagy soha'' by )

Filmography

*''

Lord Chumley ''Lord Chumley'' is a 1914 American short drama film directed by James Kirkwood. Prints of the film survive at the film archive of the Library of Congress. The film began production before November 1913, but it was not released until June 19 ...

'', directed by James Kirkwood (1914, based on the play ''Lord Chumley'') *', directed by William J. Hanley (1914, based on the play ''La Belle Russe'') *'' Men and Women'', directed by James Kirkwood (1914, based on the play '' Men and Women'') *'' Rose of the Rancho'', directed by Cecil B. DeMille (1914, based on the play ''Rose of the Rancho'') *'' The Girl of the Golden West'', directed by Cecil B. DeMille (1915, based on the play '' The Girl of the Golden West'') *', directed by

Lloyd B. Carleton Lloyd B. Carleton ( - August 8, 1933) was an American director, producer, and actor. He was born in New York City in . Both of his parents were born in Virginia and Carleton's father, John T. Little Senior, supported the family as a clothing im ...

(1915, based on the play ''The Girl I Left Behind Me'') *'' DuBarry'', directed by Edoardo Bencivenga (1915, based on the play ''Du Barry'') *'' The Heart of Maryland'', directed by

Herbert Brenon Herbert Brenon (born Alexander Herbert Reginald St. John Brenon; 13 January 1880 – 21 June 1958) was an Irish-born U.S. film director, actor and screenwriter during the era of silent films through the 1930s. Brenon was among the early film ...

(1915, based on the play '' The Heart of Maryland'') *'' May Blossom'', directed by

Allan Dwan Allan Dwan (born Joseph Aloysius Dwan; April 3, 1885 – December 28, 1981) was a pioneering Canadian-born American motion picture director, producer, and screenwriter. Early life Born Joseph Aloysius Dwan in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Dwan, wa ...

(1915, based on the play ''May Blossom'') *''

The Case of Becky ''The Case of Becky'' is a 1921 American silent drama film based on a successful 1912 play written by David Belasco and Edward J. Locke, ''The Case of Becky''. Belasco also produced the play, which starred his muse, Frances Starr. The film w ...

'', directed by

Frank Reicher Frank Reicher (born Franz Reicher; December 2, 1875 – January 19, 1965) was a German-born American actor, director and producer. He is best known for playing Captain Englehorn in the 1933 film ''King Kong''. Early life Reicher was born in Mu ...

(1915, based on the play ''The Case of Becky'') *''

'', directed by

Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. Biography Born John Sidney Allcott in Toronto, he became one of the first great direc ...

(1915, based on the play ''

'') *''

'', directed by

Edwin S. Porter Edwin Stanton Porter (April 21, 1870 – April 30, 1941) was an American film pioneer, most famous as a producer, director, studio manager and cinematographer with the Edison Manufacturing Company and the Famous Players Film Company. Of over ...

and Hugh Ford (1915, based on the play ''Zaza'') *'' Sweet Kitty Bellairs'', directed by James Young (1916, based on the play ''Sweet Kitty Bellairs'') *''

La Belle Russe ''La Belle Russe'' is a 1919 American silent romantic drama film directed by Charles Brabin and starring Theda Bara, Warburton Gamble, Marian Stewart, Robert Lee Keeling, William B. Davidson, and Alice Wilson. It is based on the 1882 play of the sa ...

'', directed by

Charles Brabin Charles Brabin (April 17, 1882 – November 3, 1957) was a British-American film director. Biography Born in Liverpool, England, he was educated at St. Francis Xavier College. Brabin sailed to New York City in the early 1900s and, while hold ...

(1919, based on the play ''La Belle Russe'') *''

Harakiri , sometimes referred to as hara-kiri (, , a native Japanese kun reading), is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. It was originally reserved for samurai in their code of honour but was also practised by other Japanese people ...

'', directed by

Fritz Lang Friedrich Christian Anton Lang (; December 5, 1890 – August 2, 1976), known as Fritz Lang, was an Austrian film director, screenwriter, and producer who worked in Germany and later the United States.Obituary '' Variety'', August 4, 1976, p. ...

(Germany, 1919, based on the play ''

'') *'' The Heart of Maryland'', directed by

Tom Terriss Thomas Herbert F. Lewin (28 September 1872 – 8 February 1964), known professionally as Tom Terriss, was a British actor, screenwriter, and film director. After trying various occupations, he became an actor playing a variety of roles, beginni ...

(1921, based on the play '' The Heart of Maryland'') *''

'', directed by

Chester M. Franklin Chester Mortimer Franklin (September 1, 1889 – March 12, 1954) was an American film director and actor active mainly in the silent era. Born in San Francisco, he was the brother of Sidney A. Franklin. In the late 1910s, he co-directed wi ...

(1921, based on the play ''The Case of Becky'') *''Pawn Ticket 210'', directed by

Scott R. Dunlap Scott R. Dunlap (June 20, 1892 – March 30, 1970) was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, and actor. Dunlap was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1892 and entered the film business in 1915. He produced 70 films between 1937 and ...

(1922, based on the play ''Pawn Ticket No. 210'') *'' The Girl of the Golden West'', directed by Edwin Carewe (1923, based on the play '' The Girl of the Golden West'') *''

'', directed by

(1923, based on the play ''Zaza'') *'' Tiger Rose'', directed by Sidney Franklin (1923, based on the play ''Tiger Rose'') *''

Forty Winks {{Short pages monitor

Films about David Belasco

*''

Lady with Red Hair ''Lady with Red Hair'' (1940) is an American historical drama film directed by Curtis Bernhardt and starring Miriam Hopkins, Claude Rains and Richard Ainley. Released by Warner Brothers it stars Hopkins as the nineteenth century actress Mrs. Le ...

'', directed by

Curtis Bernhardt Curtis Bernhardt (15 April 1899 – 22 February 1981) was a Jewish film director born in Worms, Germany, under the name Kurt Bernhardt. He trained as an actor in Germany, and performed on the stage, before starting as a film director in 1924, wi ...

(1940), with

Claude Rains William Claude Rains (10 November 188930 May 1967) was a British actor whose career spanned almost seven decades. After his American film debut as Griffin (The Invisible Man), Dr. Jack Griffin in ''The Invisible Man (1933 film), The Invisible Ma ...

as David Belasco

References

External links

* * *
David Belasco papers, 1868-1967
held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division,

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, is located in Manhattan, New York City, at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on the Upper West Side, between the Metro ...

Stephen Schwartz collection of David Belasco materials, 1904-1965
held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division,

The Belasco collection of incidental music and musicals
in th
Music Division
o
The New York Public Library for the Performing ArtsNew Victory Theater history
* * *
Thomas Albert Curry, Sr. papers, 1918-1933
at the University of Oregon Libraries. {{DEFAULTSORT:Belasco, David 1853 births 1931 deaths American theatre managers and producers American theatre directors 19th-century American dramatists and playwrights Impresarios American entertainment industry businesspeople Writers from San Francisco 19th-century Sephardi Jews 20th-century Sephardi Jews American Sephardic Jews Jewish American dramatists and playwrights 20th-century American dramatists and playwrights American male dramatists and playwrights 20th-century American male writers

Early years

Career

Marriage

Death

Influence on American theatre

Theatres

Selected plays

Filmography

Films about David Belasco

See also

References

Further reading

External links