Hell's Bells | |
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![]() Humphrey Bogart and Shirley Booth in Hell's Bells | |
Written by | Barry Conners |
Directed by | John Hayden |
Date premiered | January 26, 1925 |
Place premiered | Wallack's Theatre |
Original language | English |
Subject | Family squabble over imaginary wealth |
Genre | Farce |
Setting | Living room of Tanglewood Lodge, New Dauville, Connecticut |
Hell's Bells AKA Fool's Gold, is a 1924 play in three acts written by Barry Conners.[1] It is a farce[2] with a large cast and one setting.[3] The story concerns two middle-aged Arizona-based prospecters, sent back East by a speculator to sell shares in his mine. To expedite sales, they pose as millionaires, which leads the Connecticut sisters of one prospector to have him committed so they can obtain control of his supposed wealth.
Produced by Herman Gantvoort,[4] it starred Tom H. Walsh and Eddie Garvie, with Olive May, Humphrey Bogart, and Shirley Booth in support.[5] It ran on Broadway from late January through May 1925. During those four months it changed venues twice,[6][7] and was marred by an on-stage shooting incident on February 11, 1925.[8] The play has never had a Broadway revival, nor was it ever adapted for film.