''Common Clay'' is a 1915 play by the

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

writer Cleves Kinkead. A social drama, it shows the relationship between a servant and a member of the wealthy family which she serves. When she becomes pregnant she finds herself ostracized by them. The play was controversial on its release, but enjoyed a lengthy run on

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 ...

. It was the outstanding success of Kinkead's career, and he struggled to repeat it with his later works such as '' Your Woman and Mine'' (1922).''Common Clay'' original Broadway production, August 26 1915 Theatre Republic ending May 1916, 316 performances; IBDb.com
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Adaptations

It was the basis for a 1919 silent film '' Common Clay'' starring

Fannie Ward Fannie Ward (born Fannie Buchanan; February 22, 1872 – January 27, 1952), also credited as Fanny Ward, was an American actress of stage and screen. Known for performing in both comedic and dramatic roles, she was cast in '' The Cheat'', a sexu ...

. The film was turned into films twice during the 1930s: A 1930 adaptation '' Common Clay'' starring

Constance Bennett Constance Campbell Bennett (October 22, 1904 – July 24, 1965) was an American stage, film, radio, and television actress and producer. She was a major Hollywood star during the 1920s and 1930s; during the early 1930s, she was the highest-paid ...

and a 1936 film '' Private Number'' starring

Loretta Young Loretta Young (born Gretchen Young; January 6, 1913 – August 12, 2000) was an American actress. Starting as a child, she had a long and varied career in film from 1917 to 1953. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the fil ...

References

Bibliography

* Bordman, Gerald. ''American Theatre: A Chronicle of Comedy and Drama 1914-1930''. Oxford University Press, 1995. * Brown, Jared & Hayes, Helen. ''The Fabulous Lunts: A Biography of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne''. Atheneum, 1986.

External links

Internet Broadway Database - Common Clay
1915 plays American plays adapted into films {{1910s-play-stub