''Time for Elizabeth'' is a 1948 play written by

Norman Krasna Norman Krasna (November 7, 1909 – November 1, 1984) was an American screenwriter, playwright, producer, and film director who penned Screwball comedy film, screwball comedies centered on a case of mistaken identity. Krasna directed three films ...

and

Groucho Marx Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx (; October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977) was an American comedian, actor, writer, and singer who performed in films and vaudeville on television, radio, and the stage. He is considered one of America's greatest comed ...

. Krasna and Marx were good friends and Krasna says writing it took 10–15 years.*McGilligan, Patrick, "Norman Krasna: The Woolworth's Touch", ''Backstory: Interviews with Screenwriters of Hollywood's Golden Age'', University of California Press,1986 p218 The original Broadway production was directed by Krasna, and starred Otto Kruger. Opening at the Fulton Theatre, it only ran for eight performances, from September 27 to October 2, 1948. The reviews were universally bad, with

Brooks Atkinson Justin Brooks Atkinson (November 28, 1894 – January 14, 1984) was an American theater critic. He worked for ''The New York Times'' from 1922 to 1960. In his obituary, the ''Times'' called him "the theater's most influential reviewer of his ...

at ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' writing that "Mr. Marx has everyone's permission to throw down the pen and put back the moustachio any time he pleases." However, film rights were sold to Warner Bros for $500,000. The play toured as a

summer stock In American theater, summer stock theater is a theater that presents stage productions only in the summer. The name combines the season with the tradition of staging shows by a resident company, reusing stock scenery and costumes. Summer stock ...

production in the summers of 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1963, with co-author Groucho Marx playing the lead. Thanks to Marx's presence and an increasing number of Groucho-style jokes added to the script over time, the tours were well received. ''Time for Elizabeth'' was adapted for TV in 1964, with Marx playing the lead.

References

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Review of play
at Variety {{Norman Krasna Plays by Norman Krasna 1948 plays Broadway plays