Subject
American drama (Comedy) -- 20th century Books
Best books
Richard Harding Davis
Miss Civilization: A Comedy in One Act
"Miss Civilization: A Comedy in One Act" by Richard Harding Davis is a play that falls under the category of comedic drama, written during the early 20th century. The play centers around an attempted burglary during the night after Christmas in the country house of the Gardner family, highlighting themes of civility versus criminality in a humorous and engaging setting. The storyline follows Alice Gardner, who is home with her ill mother when three burglars attempt to break in. Alice, displaying both bravery and wit, engages with the intruders—"Uncle" Joseph Hatch, "Brick" Meakin, and Harry Hayes—in a comical interaction that turns the table on them. Instead of reacting with fear, Alice invites the burglars to partake in a late-night supper and challenges their life choices, emphasizing the value of civilization over criminal acts. As the tension builds, the arrival of law enforcement provides a resolution, with Alice fainting from the stress of the ordeal. The play cleverly intertwines humor with social commentary, showcasing the resilience of its protagonist against the backdrop of lawlessness.
Roi Cooper Megrue
It pays to advertise : $b A farcical fact in three acts
"It Pays to Advertise: A farcical fact in three acts" by Megrue and Hackett is a farce first presented in 1914. When an idle rich son announces his engagement, his disapproving father threatens disinheritance. The young man responds by launching a rival soap company to compete against his father's empire, armed only with borrowed money and a publicity agent's ambitious schemes. As advertising creates unexpected demand for a product that doesn't yet exist, debts mount and deceptions multiply, leading to surprising revelations about who's manipulating whom in this battle between father and son.
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