The Corn is Green

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The Corn is Green is an autobiographical play by Emlyn Williams.

At its core is L. C. Moffat, a strong-willed Welsh schoolteacher working in a small poverty-striken coal mining town. Under her tutelage an illiterate teenager eventually graduates with honors.

The first Broadway production, directed by Herman Shumlin, opened on November 26, 1940 at the National Theatre and later transferred to the Royal Theatre, running a total of 477 performances. The cast included Ethel Barrymore, Rhys Williams, Mildred Dunnock, and Richard Waring. On May 3, 1943, a revival with Barrymore again in the lead opened at the Martin Beck Theatre, where it ran for 56 performances.

In 1945, the play was filmed with Bette Davis as Moffat, despite the obvious discrepancies in age between her, who was 36, and the character, who was supposed to be in her 50s. To help her look the part, Davis wore a "fat suit" that added 30 pounds (14 kg) of weight and a gray wig. Davis was Warner Brothers' biggest star at the time and was given the role in the hopes that she would make it a box-office success. Originally Richard Waring was cast to play her student, Morgan Evans, but he was drafted to serve in World War II. He was replaced by John Dall, who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his performance. Also nominated in the supporting category was Joan Lorring, who played Bessie, the girl who seduces Morgan and almost derails his academic success.

In the late 1970s, Davis returned to the role in a musical stage adaptation that proved to be a disaster. The setting was changed to the American South, with the young man transformed into an African-American college student (portrayed by Dorian Harewood) ignoring his studies in favor of football. It was Miss Moffat's responsibility to help him raise his grades so he can remain on the team. At this point in her life, Davis was far too old for the role and was unable to carry a tune. When the pre-Broadway run opened in Boston, the show was derided by the critics, and it underwent major changes before moving to Philadelphia. There audiences greeted it with catcalls, and it closed before its opening night, never making it to Broadway.

A 1979 made-for-television movie, directed by George Cukor and starring Katharine Hepburn, was filmed on location in Wales.

After 21 previews, another Broadway revival, directed by Vivian Matalon, opened on August 22, 1983 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. In a case of color-blind casting, Cicely Tyson portrayed Miss Moffat, with Peter Gallagher, Marge Redmond, and Mia Dillon in supporting roles. Critics found the play hopelessly dated, and it ran for only 32 performances.

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