Dramatist Ruth Draper Vintage Movie 1937

Filmed at "Peterloon" farm in Cincinnati in 1937 by Karol Liszniewski (my late father's piano teacher).

Ruth Draper (December 2, 1884 - December 30, 1956) was an American dramatist. She specialized in character-driven monologues and monodrama. Her best known pieces include "The Italian Lesson," "Three Women and Mr. Clifford," "Doctors and Diets," and "A Church in Italy." Draper's live performances captivated audiences all over the world. Such theatre legends as George Bernard Shaw, Thornton Wilder, John Gielgud, Katharine Hepburn, Maurice Chevalier, Laurence Olivier, and Uta Hagen were among those dazzled by her art. Henry James, Henry Adams, and Edith Wharton were equally impressed. Draper died in 1956, aged 72, just hours after giving a performance on Broadway.See also: http://www.ruthdraper.com/html/aboutrd.html

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[drumpointer]

Unbelievable. Ruth Draper with no sound.

Like Leonardo da Vinci with no pictures.

[penelopebianchi]

same as the comment 3 years ago!

NO SOUND?

A SERIOUS DRAWBACK!

PLEASE FIX!!!!!!!!

PENELOPE

[SuedeNyme]

This is great! I performed monodramas on stage after I saw an actress named Rosamund Fuller and realized that one didn't need any other actors, one could put on an entire play all by oneself. Ruth Draper also was a mono performer, so thank you very much for this movie!

Sue

[ChaunceytheGardener]

I shared your curiosity and saw Ms Norcia perform the monologues in both New York and London. Of course, she wasn't as good as the original; but I wanted to SEE how Miss Draper would have presented them on stage. It's a shame they weren't filmed with Ruth Draper.

[exackerly]

Yes, but I have a guilty desire to hear them live just once, even if I know they won't be as good as Draper's own recordings.

But I don't know if today's audiences could really appreciate them. Something like The Italian Lesson would fall on deaf ears at a time when most people profess nothing but contempt for rich people...

[Matthudson2]

So rare and precious. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Makes me regretful I wasn't born until 1963. I would have loved to have seen her in Vaudeville.

[britcomic]

Yes, I believe she does - not sure how she ended up with such power. I am told she holds exclusive rights to perform them and generally witholds permission for anyone else to. Maybe this is a good thing: the original recordings are inimitable.

[theafterbounce]

Doesn't Patricia Norcia have exclusive long-term rights to the monologues? She performed as Draper in the '80's. Most respectable actresses would never touch them -- too bad this stranger owns the rights. Wonder how that happened.

[noelcoward68]

All hail the greatest of them all—Ruth Draper, the inimitable.

[kitboy69]

Ruth Draper was one of if not THE first thing I looked for on here over a year ago and there was , of course nothing. I'm glad to see someone had something to put up. Thank you.

Oh, I want to see and hear her at the same time!