The Girl on the Film

A Musical Play

Book by James T. Tanner

Lyrics by Adrian Ross

The Girl on the Film reflects the early 20th-century fascination with cinema, capturing the public’s imagination as movies began to rise in popularity. Set in a world where film was still a burgeoning art form, the musical deftly combined comedy, romance, and social satire, exploring themes of fame, ambition, and the allure of the moving image.

The story centers on the character Max Daly, a young man who becomes infatuated with a famous movie star he has only seen on the screen. His obsession drives him into humorous and often absurd situations as he attempts to meet her. Daly’s romantic pursuit plays out amidst a lively ensemble of characters and cleverly staged sequences that parody the cinematic trends of the time. Tanner’s witty script and Ross’s lyrics offer a light-hearted but insightful commentary on the cultural shifts brought by film, poking fun at the exaggerated glamor of movie stars and the public’s eager infatuation with celebrity.

The Girl on the Film" resonated with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, premiering in London and enjoying a successful run before moving to New York. The production represents an early example of how theater adapted to compete with and complement the film industry, which was beginning to challenge theater as the primary entertainment for the masses.

Today, The Girl on the Film is a fascinating artifact from a transitional era in entertainment history. 

 ISBN 979-8300030148 

$12.95

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