The Master of Thornfield

The Master of Thornfieldis a 1954 play by Huntington Hartford, which is an adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's 1847 novel Jane Eyre.[1] It was later rewritten by John F. Matthews.[2]

The play marked Errol Flynn's return to the stage after many years.[3]

US Production

Errol Flynn

In 1957 it was announced Errol Flynn would star in a production in the US opposite Jan Brooks directed by Peter Ashmore.[4]

Flynn had not appeared on stage since the 1930s. He was enticed to do so by a large salary, including free accommodation at one of Huntington's houses, and the writer's promise to produce a play that Flynn had written, an adaptation of the 1839 play Richelieu by Edward George Bulwer-Lytton.[3] Flynn was reportedly paid a flat fee of $100,000 plus $1,000 a week expenses.[5]

The play opened in Detroit with a view of bringing it to New York. Variety reported response was "dismal".[6]

Flynn struggled with the show, often forgetting lines.[7] He quit the play in Cincinnati claiming that the play was "no more fit for Broadway than Jack and the Beanstalk... I can't do much with the way its written." Hartford responded that, "In my defence, I'd like to say that I have as yet to hear my play, from Mr Flynn, as it was written."[8] Flynn was replaced by John Emery and Demetrios Vilain replaced Ashmore as director.[5]

Hedda Hopper later wrote that she heard Flynn "just wouldn't study" only rehearsing nine hours in four weeks, and thinking Flynn instead simply wanted to accept a role in The Roots of Heaven.[9]

Post-Flynn

Eric Portman took over the role of Rochester and the production was renamed Jane Eyre.[10] The production debut in New York on 1 May 1958 and ran for 52 performances.

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References
  1. LONDON WILL SEE A NEW 'JANE EYRE': Chaney to Put On Hartford's Version, 'The Master of Thornfield,' in June By SAM ZOLOTOW. New York Times 14 Apr 1954: 25.
  2. New Film to Costar McCrea and Stevens Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 8 Dec 1956: B2.
  3. Vagg, Stephen (December 15, 2019). "The Films of Errol Flynn: Part 6 – The Final Adventures". Filmink.
  4. 'SPIRIT IS WILLING' TO BECOME A SHOW: Musical Version of 'Ghost Goes West' Prepared-- Jan Brooks 'Discovered' British Actress Signed 'Back to Methuselah' By SAM ZOLOTOW. New York Times 5 Nov 1957: 37.
  5. "Jane Eyre Cost at 500G So Far". Variety. 7 May 1958. pp. 71, 76.
  6. "Errol Flynn NG $12,200". Variety. 19 February 1958. p. 58.
  7. Dorothy Kilgallen: 'Master of Thornfield' Full of Thorns The Washington Post and Times Herald 19 Feb 1958: B6.
  8. FLYNN IS QUITTING PLAY ON THE ROAD: Calls Dramatization of 'Jane Eyre' Unfit for Broadway -- Canadian Troupe Plans By LOUIS CALTA. New York Times 20 Feb 1958: 28.
  9. Lana, Yul Brynner in Faulkner Story Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 22 Feb 1958: B2.
  10. 'Jane Eyre' At the Shubert By Richard L. Coe. The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959) [Washington, D.C] 17 Apr 1958: C10.
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