The Desperate Hours (play)

The Desperate Hours
Written byJoseph Hayes
Based onThe Desperate Hours by Joseph Hayes
Directed byRobert Montgomery
Date premiered10 February 1955
Place premieredEthel Barrymore Theatre
Original languageEnglish
SubjectHome invasion and hostage taking
GenreMelodrama
SettingIndianapolis, Indiana, mid 1950s

The Desperate Hours is a 1955 play by Joseph Hayes, adapted from his 1954 novel of the same title.[1] It is a three-act melodrama, with a medium-sized cast and tense pacing. The story concerns a family of four, living in a suburb of Indianapolis, whose quiet home is invaded by three convicts recently escaped from prison.

The play was produced by the author and Howard Erskine, staged by Robert Montgomery, and starred Karl Malden and Nancy Coleman as the parents, with Paul Newman as the convict leader.[2] Besides an excellent cast, taut writing and staging, the production had an extraordinary set design by Howard Bay.[3] It was the recipient of several drama awards, including two Tonys,[4] but has never had a Broadway revival.

  1. ^ Atkinson, Brooks (February 11, 1955). "Theatre: The Guests Came From Jail". New York Times. New York, New York. p. 20 – via NYTimes.com.
  2. ^ Chapman, John (February 12, 1955). "'The Desperate Hours' a Sizzling Melodrama with a Red-Hot Cast". Daily News. New York, New York. p. 181 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Oppenheimer, George (February 18, 1955). "On Stage". Newsday (Suffolk edition). Melville, New York. p. 37 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Old Thespian Lunt, Neophyte Trio Presented 'Tony' Awards". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. March 28, 1955. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.