Laurence Tucker Stallings (November 25, 1894 – February 28, 1968) was an American playwright, screenwriter, lyricist, literary critic, journalist, novelist, and photographer. Best known for his collaboration with

Maxwell Anderson James Maxwell Anderson (December 15, 1888 – February 28, 1959) was an American playwright, author, poet, journalist, and lyricist. Background Anderson was born on December 15, 1888, in Atlantic, Pennsylvania, the second of eight children to ...

on the 1924 play '' What Price Glory'', Stallings also produced a groundbreaking

autobiographical novel An autobiographical novel is a form of novel using autofiction techniques, or the merging of autobiographical and fictive elements. The literary technique is distinguished from an autobiography or memoir by the stipulation of being fiction. Bec ...

, ''Plumes'', about his service in

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

, and published an award-winning book of photographs, ''The First World War: A Photographic History''.

Life

Stallings was born Laurence Tucker Stallings in

Macon, Georgia Macon ( ), officially Macon–Bibb County, is a consolidated city-county in the U.S. state of Georgia. Situated near the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is located southeast of Atlanta and lies near the geographic center of the state of G ...

, to Larkin Tucker Stallings, a bank clerk, and Aurora Brooks Stallings, a homemaker and avid reader who inspired her son's love of literature. He entered Wake Forest University in North Carolina in 1912 and became the editor of the campus literary magazine, the ''Old Gold and Black.'' He met Helen Poteat while at Wake Forest. She was the daughter of Dr. William Louis Poteat, the university president, and the sister of Stallings's classics professor. They were sweethearts throughout their school years. He graduated from

Wake Forest College Wake Forest University is a private research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Founded in 1834, the university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina. The Reynolda Campus, the un ...

in 1916, and got a job writing advertising copy for a local recruiting office. He was so convinced by his own prose, he joined the United States Marine Reserve in 1917. He left Philadelphia for overseas duty in France aboard the USS ''Henderson'' on 24 April 1918.Blankenship, Janie. "Vets of WWI Through Vietnam Became Famous in the Literary World", ''VFW Magazine'' (April 2015), pp. 44–45. In France, he served as a platoon commander with

3rd Battalion, 5th Marines 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (3/5, nicknamed Dark Horse) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps. The battalion is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and consists of approximately 1,000 Marines and Fleet Marine ...

during the fighting at

Château-Thierry Château-Thierry () is a French commune situated in the department of the Aisne, in the administrative region of Hauts-de-France, and in the historic Province of Champagne. The origin of the name of the town is unknown. The local tradition att ...

. He was wounded in the leg in the Battle of Belleau Wood after charging an enemy machine-gun nest on 25 June. After begging the doctors not to amputate, he went home to spend two painful years recuperating at the

Brooklyn Naval Hospital Brooklyn Naval Hospital was a hospital in Brooklyn, New York City, within the Brooklyn Navy Yard. It was one of the oldest naval hospitals in the United States, having operated from 1838 to 1948. Two of the structures in the former hospital's s ...

. He later damaged it with a fall on the ice, and it was amputated in 1922. Many years later, he had to have his remaining leg amputated, as well. After finishing his convalescence, Stallings and Poteat married on March 8, 1919; they had two daughters, Sylvia (born 1926) and Diana (born 1931), before divorcing in 1936. In 1928–1929, they restored Poteat House near

Yanceyville, North Carolina Yanceyville is a town in and the county seat of Caswell County, North Carolina, United States. Located in the Piedmont Triad region of the state, the town had a population of 1,937 at the 2020 census. The settlement was founded in 1792 and was ...

. Through Helen his aunt by marriage was the painter Ida Isabella Poteat. The year following his divorce, Stallings married Louise St. Leger Vance, his secretary at Fox Studios. They had two children, Laurence, Jr. (born 1939) and Sally (born 1941). Stallings died of a heart attack in

Pacific Palisades, California Pacific Palisades is a neighborhood in the Westside region of Los Angeles, California, situated about west of Downtown Los Angeles. Pacific Palisades was formally founded in 1921 by a Methodist organization, and in the years that followed be ...

. He was buried with full military honors at

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is a federal military cemetery in the city of San Diego, California. It is located on the grounds of the former Army coastal artillery station Fort Rosecrans and is administered by the United States Departmen ...

in Point Loma near

San Diego San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the eighth most populous city in the United States ...

Career

Stallings received a

Master of Science A Master of Science ( la, Magisterii Scientiae; abbreviated MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master's degree in the field of science awarded by universities in many countries or a person holding such a degree. In contrast t ...

degree from

Georgetown University Georgetown University is a private research university in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded by Bishop John Carroll in 1789 as Georgetown College, the university has grown to comprise eleven undergraduate and graduate ...

, after which he worked as a reporter, critic, and entertainment editor at the ''

New York World The ''New York World'' was a newspaper published in New York City from 1860 until 1931. The paper played a major role in the history of American newspapers. It was a leading national voice of the Democratic Party. From 1883 to 1911 under pub ...

''. He was impressed by

's first play, ''White Desert'', and the two joined forces to collaborate on '' What Price Glory'', which opened at the Plymouth Theatre in New York City in 1924. The critically acclaimed play ran for 435 performances and spawned two film adaptations. The two went on to co-write the plays ''The First Flight'' and ''The Buccaneer'', both in 1925. Stallings continued his theatre career with the book and lyrics for the

musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwo ...

''Deep River'' (1926), adapted

Ernest Hemingway Ernest Miller Hemingway (July 21, 1899 – July 2, 1961) was an American novelist, short-story writer, and journalist. His economical and understated style—which he termed the iceberg theory—had a strong influence on 20th-century f ...

's novel ''

A Farewell to Arms ''A Farewell to Arms'' is a novel by American writer Ernest Hemingway, set during the Italian campaign of World War I. First published in 1929, it is a first-person account of an American, Frederic Henry, serving as a lieutenant () in the a ...

'' for the stage in 1930, co-wrote the book for the musicals ''Rainbow'' (1928) with Oscar Hammerstein, and ''Virginia'' (1937) with

Owen Davis Owen Gould Davis (January 29, 1874 – October 14, 1956) was an American dramatist known for writing more than 200 plays and having most produced. In 1919, he became the first elected president of the Dramatists Guild of America. He received t ...

, and penned the play ''The Streets Are Guarded'' in 1944. He was a member of the

Algonquin Round Table The Algonquin Round Table was a group of New York City writers, critics, actors, and wits. Gathering initially as part of a practical joke, members of "The Vicious Circle", as they dubbed themselves, met for lunch each day at the Algonquin Hotel ...

. Stallings' novel, the

autobiographical An autobiography, sometimes informally called an autobio, is a self-written account of one's own life. It is a form of biography. Definition The word "autobiography" was first used deprecatingly by William Taylor in 1797 in the English peri ...

''Plumes'', was published in 1924 and was a success, with nine printings by 1925. It depicts Richard Plume, a veteran with a missing leg, attempting to adapt to society after the war. It was adapted into

King Vidor King Wallis Vidor (; February 8, 1894 – November 1, 1982) was an American film director, film producer, and screenwriter whose 67-year film-making career successfully spanned the silent and sound eras. His works are distinguished by a vivid, ...

's ''

The Big Parade ''The Big Parade'' is a 1925 American silent war drama film directed by King Vidor, starring John Gilbert, Renée Adorée, Hobart Bosworth, Tom O'Brien, and Karl Dane. Written by World War I veteran, Laurence Stallings, the film is about ...

'' the following year, which was extremely successful and remained MGM's largest-grossing film until '' Gone with the Wind'' in 1939. He was regarded as a key influence on three of director

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...

's films, serving as writer or co-writer for ''

3 Godfathers ''3 Godfathers'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by John Ford and filmed (although not set) primarily in Death Valley, California. The screenplay, written by Frank S. Nugent and Laurence Stallings, is based on the 1913 novelette '' T ...

'' (1948) with

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films made during Hollywood's Go ...

and

Pedro Armendariz Pedro is a masculine given name. Pedro is the Spanish, Portuguese, and Galician name for ''Peter''. Its French equivalent is Pierre while its English and Germanic form is Peter. The counterpart patronymic surname of the name Pedro, meaning ...

, ''

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon ''She Wore a Yellow Ribbon'' is a 1949 American Technicolor Western film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne. It is the second film in Ford's "Cavalry Trilogy", along with '' Fort Apache'' (1948) and '' Rio Grande'' (1950). With a b ...

'' (1949), and ''

The Sun Shines Bright ''The Sun Shines Bright'' is a 1953 American Comedy-Drama Western film directed by John Ford, based on material taken from a series of Irvin S. Cobb "Judge Priest" short stories featured in ''The Saturday Evening Post'' in the 1910s, specifica ...

'' (1953). Additional screenwriting credits included ''

Northwest Passage The Northwest Passage (NWP) is the sea route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of North America via waterways through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The eastern route along the ...

'' (1940) with

Spencer Tracy Spencer Bonaventure Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was an American actor. He was known for his natural performing style and versatility. One of the major stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, Tracy was the first actor to win two cons ...

, ''

The Man from Dakota ''The Man from Dakota'' is a 1940 American Civil War film directed by Leslie Fenton and starring Wallace Beery and Dolores del Río. The film was adapted by Laurence Stallings from the novel ''Arouse and Beware'' by MacKinlay Kantor. Francis ...

'' (1940) with

Wallace Beery Wallace Fitzgerald Beery (April 1, 1885 – April 15, 1949) was an American film and stage actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Bill in '' Min and Bill'' (1930) opposite Marie Dressler, as General Director Preysing in '' Grand Hotel'' ( ...

and Delores del Rio, and '' On Our Merry Way'' (1948) with

James Stewart James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military pilot. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart's film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991. With the strong morality ...

and

Henry Fonda Henry Jaynes Fonda (May 16, 1905 – August 12, 1982) was an American actor. He had a career that spanned five decades on Broadway and in Hollywood. He cultivated an everyman screen image in several films considered to be classics. Born and ra ...

. Stallings's last book, ''The Doughboys: The Story of the AEF, 1917–1918'', was published in 1963. The

nonfiction Nonfiction, or non-fiction, is any document or media content that attempts, in good faith, to provide information (and sometimes opinions) grounded only in facts and real life, rather than in imagination. Nonfiction is often associated with be ...

account of World War I partly explores the racism and discrimination faced by the black troops during the war. Stallings was recalled up to service with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II as a lieutenant colonel, but did not serve overseas.

Works

;Books * ''Plumes'', 1924 * ''Three American Plays,'' by Stallings and Maxwell Anderson (includes ''What Price Glory'', ''First Flight'', and ''The Buccaneer''), 1926 * ''The First World War—A Photographic History'', (edited by Stallings), 1933 * ''The Doughboys'', 1963 ;Periodicals * "Celluloid Psychology," ''New Republic'', 33 (7 February 1923): 282–284 * "The Whole Art of a Wooden Leg," ''Smart Set'', 70 (March 1923): 107–111 * "The Big Parade," ''New Republic'', 40 (17 September 1924): 66–69 * "How a 'Great' Play Is Written," ''Current Opinion'', 77 (November 1924): 617–618 * "Esprit de Corps," ''Scribner's'', 84 (August 1928): 212–215 * "Turn Out the Guard," ''Saturday Evening Post'', 201 (13 October 1928): 16–17, 96, 99–100 * "Gentleman in Blue," ''Saturday Evening Post'', 204 (20 February 1932): 8–9, 95 * "Return to the Woods," ''Collier's'', 89 (5 March 1932): 30–31, 52 * "Lt. Richard Plume Comes Home from the War," ''Scholastic'', 25 (10 November 1934): 4–6 * "Bush Brigades and Blackamoors," ''American Mercury'', 37 (April 1936): 411–419 * "The War to End War," ''American Heritage'', 10 (October 1959): 4–17, 84–85 * "Bloody Belleau Wood," ''American Heritage'', 14 (June 1963): 65–77 ;Theatre productions * ''What Price Glory,'' by Stallings and Maxwell Anderson, New York, Plymouth Theatre, 5 September 1924 * ''First Flight,'' by Stallings and Anderson, New York, Plymouth Theatre, 17 September 1925 * ''The Buccaneer,'' by Stallings and Anderson, New York, Plymouth Theatre, 2 October 1925 * ''Deep River,'' New York, Imperial Theatre, 4 October 1926 * ''Rainbow,'' by Stallings and Oscar Hammerstein II, New York, Gallo Theatre, 21 November 1928 * ''

,'' New York, National Theatre, 22 September 1930 * ''Eldorado,'' by Stallings and George S. Kaufman, New Haven, 19 October 1931 * ''

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...

,'' by Stallings and Owen Davis, New York, Center Theatre, 2 September 1937 * ''The Streets Are Guarded,'' New York, Miller's Theatre, 20 November 1944 ;Screenplays * ''

'' (M-G-M, 1925), story * ''Old Ironsides'' (Paramount Famous Lasky, 1926), story * ''Show People'' (M-G-M, 1928), treatment by Stallings and Agnes Christine Johnston * ''Billy the Kid'' (M-G-M, 1930), dialogue * ''Way for a Sailor'' (M-G-M, 1930), scenario and dialogue by Stallings and W. L. Rivers * ''After Office Hours'' (M-G-M, 1935), story by Stallings and Dale Van Eveky * ''So Red the Rose'' (Paramount, 1935), screenplay by Stallings, Edwin Justus Mayer, and Maxwell Anderson * ''Too Hot to Handle'' (M-G-M, 1938), screenplay by Stallings, John Lee Mahin, and Len Hammond * ''Stand Up and Fight'' (M-G-M, 1939), additional dialogue * ''The Man from Dakota'' (M-G-M, 1940), screenplay * ''

'' (MGM, 1940), screenplay by Stallings and Talbot Jennings * ''The Jungle Book'' (United Artists, 1942), screenplay * ''Salome, Where She Danced'' (Universal, 1945), screenplay * ''Christmas Eve'' (United Artists, 1947), story by Stallings, Arch Oboler, and Richard H. Landau; screenplay; retitled ''Sinners' Holiday'' * ''

A Miracle Can Happen ''On Our Merry Way'' is a 1948 American comedy film produced by Benedict Bogeaus and Burgess Meredith and released by United Artists. At the time of its release, King Vidor and Leslie Fenton were credited with its direction, although the DVD lis ...

'' (United Artists, 1948), screenplay by Stallings and Lou Breslow; retitled ''On Our Merry Way'' * ''

'' (MGM, 1949), screenplay by Stallings and Frank Nugent * ''

'' (RKO, 1949), screenplay by Stallings and Nugent * ''

'' (Republic, 1954), screenplay

References

*Joan T. Brittain, ''Laurence Stallings'', (Boston:Twayne, 1975)
Laurence Stallings at rootsweb.com

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Stallings, Laurence 1894 births 1968 deaths Wake Forest University alumni Georgetown University alumni 20th-century American novelists 20th-century American dramatists and playwrights American amputees American male novelists American male screenwriters United States Marine Corps personnel of World War I Burials at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France) Recipients of the Silver Star United States Marine Corps officers United States Marine Corps reservists Writers from Macon, Georgia American male dramatists and playwrights 20th-century American male writers Novelists from Georgia (U.S. state) Screenwriters from California Screenwriters from Georgia (U.S. state) 20th-century American screenwriters

Life

Career

Works

See also

References

External links