Get Away Old Man (1943)

Original Production - The Cort Theatre from Novermer 23 to December 4th 1943 (13 performances)

Producer -  George Abbott

Director - George Abbott

Set design - John Root

 

Original Cast 

Edward Begley - Patrick Hammer

Richard Widmark - Harry Bird

Hilda Vaughn - Rose Schornbloom

William Adams - Ben Manheim

Glenn Anders - Sam

Edwin Hodge - New York Times Correspondent

Beatrice Pearson - Martha Harper

Sula Levitch - Pianist

Joyce Mathews - Betty Fitch

Mason Adams - Messenger

Jerome Thor - Doctor

 

 

Notes

Saroyan based much of Get Away, Old Man on his time at MGM working for producer Louis B. Mayer. In 1942, he began a campaign of publicity, either trying to extort Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, or to drum up interest in his next project. Ira Wolfert reported in his Broadway Footlights column on the 29th of July, 1942, "He issued an ultimatum giving Metro [Golwyn-Mayer] until noon of May 11 to pay $250,000 for his next play. 'I have not written it yet. The title is "Get Away, Old Man," he announced. "If you do not buy it by noon May 11 I will have it produced on Broadway and accept bids from all movie companies beginning at $300,000." 

The initial reception to the Broadway opening was mixed.  The Richmond Times Dispatch said "William Saroyan has written a lusty, highly amusing, through uneven, play in "Get Away, Old Man." New York Daily News columnist John Chapman wrote, "It is loony, rambling, frequently funny and disconnected. I am afraid that it will take a doubly special audience to get the most enjoyment out of it..." Arthur Pollock of the Brooklyn Eagle said "As for the play, it is very funny sometimes, as funny as Saroyan can be. And sometimes it is perfectly terrible." 

Early reviews praised the acting of Edward Begley and Richard Widmark, particularly. 

 

Associated Materials:

 

In the Forever Saroyan collection: 

 Get Away Old Man, 1944, Harcourt Brace, includes original dust jacket, B228

 Get Away Old Man, 1944, Harcourt Brace, includes original dust jacket, B229

 Get Away Old Man, 1944, Harcourt Brace, includes original dust jacket, B230

 Get Away Old Man, 1944, Harcourt Brace, includes original dust jacket, B231

 Get Away Old Man, 1944, Harcourt Brace, inscribed by Saroyan to daughter Lucy, includes original dust jacket, B232

 Get Away Old Man, 1946, Faber & Faber, UK, includes original dust jacket, B233

Get Away Old Man, 1946, Faber & Faber, UK, includes original dust jacket, B234

Get Away Old Man, 1946, Faber & Faber, UK, B235