Rudolph Besier
Encyclopedia
Rudolf Besier (2 July 187816 June 1942) was a Dutch-English dramatist and translator, who is best known for his play The Barretts of Wimpole Street
(1930).
Rudolf Besier was born in Java
(Dutch East Indies
, now Indonesia
) in 1878. He had some limited success early in his career in England, which began with The Virgin Goddess (1906). Then followed a series of plays, mainly dramas, but also including satires and comedies. In 1912 he collaborated with H. G. Wells
to convert Wells's Kipps
into a play; he also worked with Hugh Walpole
on Robin's Father (1918). Secrets (1922) was written with May Edginton
(1883-1957).
Besier's only major success came with The Barretts of Wimpole Street
(1930), based on Elizabeth Barrett
and Robert Browning
. After being rejected by two London producers, it premiered at the Malvern Festival of 1930, produced by Sir Barry Jackson. Besier could not interest American producers, 27 of them rejecting his play, but the actress Katharine Cornell
took a personal interest and had it staged in Cleveland in 1931, and then in New York. It was revived and produced in many countries, and was made into two films and a musical.
Rudolf Besier died in Surrey
in 1942, aged 63.
The Barretts of Wimpole Street
The Barretts of Wimpole Street is a 1934 American film depicting the real-life romance between poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning , despite the opposition of her father Edward Moulton-Barrett . The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture...
(1930).
Rudolf Besier was born in Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
(Dutch East Indies
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
, now Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
) in 1878. He had some limited success early in his career in England, which began with The Virgin Goddess (1906). Then followed a series of plays, mainly dramas, but also including satires and comedies. In 1912 he collaborated with H. G. Wells
H. G. Wells
Herbert George Wells was an English author, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing text books and rules for war games...
to convert Wells's Kipps
Kipps
Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul is a novel by H. G. Wells, first published in 1905. Humorous yet sympathetic, this perceptive social novel is generally regarded as a masterpiece, and was the author's own favourite work.-Plot:...
into a play; he also worked with Hugh Walpole
Hugh Walpole
Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole, CBE was an English novelist. A prolific writer, he published thirty-six novels, five volumes of short stories, two plays and three volumes of memoirs. His skill at scene-setting, his vivid plots, his high profile as a lecturer and his driving ambition brought him a large...
on Robin's Father (1918). Secrets (1922) was written with May Edginton
May Edginton
May Edginton was a British writer. She was married to Francis E. Bailey and died in Rondebosch, South Africa in 1957.-Novels and short stories:...
(1883-1957).
Besier's only major success came with The Barretts of Wimpole Street
The Barretts of Wimpole Street
The Barretts of Wimpole Street is a 1934 American film depicting the real-life romance between poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning , despite the opposition of her father Edward Moulton-Barrett . The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture...
(1930), based on Elizabeth Barrett
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era. Her poetry was widely popular in both England and the United States during her lifetime. A collection of her last poems was published by her husband, Robert Browning, shortly after her death.-Early life:Members...
and Robert Browning
Robert Browning
Robert Browning was an English poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, especially dramatic monologues, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets.-Early years:...
. After being rejected by two London producers, it premiered at the Malvern Festival of 1930, produced by Sir Barry Jackson. Besier could not interest American producers, 27 of them rejecting his play, but the actress Katharine Cornell
Katharine Cornell
Katharine Cornell was an American stage actress, writer, theater owner and producer. She was born to American parents and raised in Buffalo, New York.Cornell is known as the greatest American stage actress of the 20th century...
took a personal interest and had it staged in Cleveland in 1931, and then in New York. It was revived and produced in many countries, and was made into two films and a musical.
Rudolf Besier died in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
in 1942, aged 63.
Selected list of works
- The Virgin Goddess (1906)
- Don, 1908 (prod. 1909)
- Olive Latimer's Husband, 1909 (prod. 1910)
- The Foolish Virgin (prod. 1910-11)
- Lady Patricia, 1911 (prod. 1912)
- KippsKippsKipps: The Story of a Simple Soul is a novel by H. G. Wells, first published in 1905. Humorous yet sympathetic, this perceptive social novel is generally regarded as a masterpiece, and was the author's own favourite work.-Plot:...
(1912; with H. G. WellsH. G. WellsHerbert George Wells was an English author, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing text books and rules for war games...
, based on his book) - Her Country (prod. 1918)
- Robin's Father (1918; with Hugh WalpoleHugh WalpoleSir Hugh Seymour Walpole, CBE was an English novelist. A prolific writer, he published thirty-six novels, five volumes of short stories, two plays and three volumes of memoirs. His skill at scene-setting, his vivid plots, his high profile as a lecturer and his driving ambition brought him a large...
) - Secrets, 1921 (with May EdgintonMay EdgintonMay Edginton was a British writer. She was married to Francis E. Bailey and died in Rondebosch, South Africa in 1957.-Novels and short stories:...
; prod. 1922-23; filmed 1924Secrets (1924 film)Secrets is a silent film directed by Frank Borzage. The film is based upon a 1872 opera called Don César de Bazan and was remade in 1933 with Mary Pickford in the leading role. Although the film was never released on video or DVD, copies still exist.-Plot:The films opens in present. 75-year-old...
, 1933Secrets (film)Secrets is a 1933 Western film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Mary Pickford in her last film role. The film is a remake of Secrets , a silent film starring Norma Talmadge....
) - A Lesson in Love, 1922 (prod, 1923)
- Prude's Fall (filmed 1924)
- 1930: The Barretts of Wimpole StreetThe Barretts of Wimpole StreetThe Barretts of Wimpole Street is a 1934 American film depicting the real-life romance between poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning , despite the opposition of her father Edward Moulton-Barrett . The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture...
(produced 1930, Malvern; 1931, Cleveland; Broadway; revived 1935, 1945; filmed 1934, 1957The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957 film)The Barretts of Wimpole Street is a 1957 film originating from the United Kingdom, and was a re-make of the earlier 1934 version by the same director, Sidney Franklin. Both films are based on the play The Barretts of Wimpole Street by Rudolf Besier...
); the ultimate basis of the 1964 musical Robert and ElizabethRobert and ElizabethRobert and Elizabeth is a musical with music by Ron Grainer and book and lyrics by Ronald Millar. The story is based on an unproduced musical titled The Third Kiss by Judge Fred G. Moritt, which in turn was adapted from the play The Barretts of Wimpole Street by Rudolph Besier...
)