This is the first full production history of Long Day's Journey Into Night, by Eugene O'Neill, one of the most influential plays of the twentieth century. It provides a detailed account of the most significant productions throughout the world, on stage, film, and television. Brenda Murphy examines the unique circumstances that led to the posthumous world premiere in Stockholm, in a Swedish translation. Murphy also explores the subsequent first production in English, on Broadway, which established a standard for future directors and actors. The book conveys the unique interpretations of the Tyrone family by such actors as Fredric March, Jason Robards, Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Katharine Hepburn, Colleen Dewhurst, Ruby Dee, Kevin Spacey, Jack Lemmon, and Alan Bates, among other distinguished theatre artists. An extensive production chronology provides details about nearly 100 productions throughout the world. This illustrated history also includes an extensive bibliography, discography, and videography.

CONTENTS

List of illustrations                                                         x

General preface                                                            xii

Preface                                                                        xiii

Acknowledgments                                                          xv

Note on the text                                                            xvii

• 1 The New York premiere 1
• 2 Productions in English 51
• 3 Productions in translation 93
• 4 Media adaptations 126

Notes                                                                       162

Production chronology                                             181

Discography                                                             207

Videography                                                             208

Bibliography                                                             210

Index                                                                        242