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''The Still Alarm'' is a melodramatic play by Joseph Arthur that debuted in New York in 1887 and enjoyed great success, and was adapted to silent films in 1911, 1918, and 1926. Though never a favorite of critics, it achieved widespread popularity. It is best known for its climactic scene where fire wagons are pulled by horses to a blazing fire.〔Rahill, Frank. (The world of melodrama ), p. 257 (1967) ("the greatest of all the fireman plays")〕 ==Background== The play debuted at the Fourteenth Street Theatre in New York City on August 30, 1887.〔Brown, Thomas Allston. (A history of the New York stage ), p. 495-96 (1887 original production), p. 498 (March 1888 return)〕〔(31 August 1887). (Amusements - "The Still Alarm" ), ''The New York Times''〕〔Burt, Daniel S. (ed.) (The chronology of American literature ), p. 271 (2004)〕〔(28 August 1887). (Notes of the Week ), ''The New York Times''〕 Harry Lacy played the lead role of Jack Manley.〔(Advertisement ), ''The Theatre'' (August 1887)〕 Though it ran only a few weeks in its initial engagement, the play returned in March 1888 and ran for over 100 more performances.〔〔Bordman, Gerald Martin. (American theatre: a chronicle of comedy and drama, 1869-1914 ), p. 259 (1994)〕〔(27 March 1888). (Musical and Dramatic Notes ), ''The New York Times''〕〔(17 June 1888). (Amusements: Notes of the Week ), ''The New York Times''〕 Its popularity was then well-secured. In September 1889, it re-appeared at the Grand Opera House.〔(3 September 1889). (Notes of the Stage ), ''The New York Times''〕 It ran again at the Fourteenth for two weeks in 1891,〔(30 August 1891). (The Dancing Girl Is Here ), ''The New York Times''〕 and returned to the Grand Opera House in 1892.〔(5 April 1892). (Notes of the Stage ), ''The New York Times''〕 The play was also successful in England, and ran for 100 nights at the Princess's Theatre in London in 1888.〔(11 September 1895). (The Profit Too Large ), ''The New York Times''〕 Critics noted its success with guarded bemusement. An August 1888 note on its London success reported that "the critics have come down rather severely on "The Still Alarm", but as this was not unexpected, the management does not worry. Meanwhile, Bucephalus and Pegasus, the two horses, have made a tremendous hit, and are drawing crowded houses. Next to them in order of merit, according to the critics, comes the dog."〔(5 August 1888). (Old World News By Cable ), ''The New York Times''〕 ''The Still Alarm'' was Joseph Arthur's first successful creation, but he enjoyed similar success with more melodramatic fare including Blue Jeans (1890) and ''The Cherry Pickers'' (1896). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Still Alarm」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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