KELLY, GEORGE

Kelly, George: translation

(1887-1974)

George Edward Kelly, born in Philadelphia, began his theatrical life as an actor andvaudevillian. His brother, Walter C. Kelly (1873-1939), was a popular variety performer and while following in his footsteps, Kelly wrote and acted his own sketches. He shifted permanently to playwriting withThe Torch-Bearers(1922), a satire of amateur theatre, which led to three more satiric comedies,The Show-Off(1924), the Pulitzer PRiZE-winningCraig's Wife(1925), andDaisy Mayme(1926), all among the most popular plays of the era with both audiences and critics, who responded to his solid craftsmanship and keen observation of human foibles. Kelly wrote sketches for a musical revue,A la Carte(1927). His later, and less successful, plays includeBehold the Bridegroom(1927),Maggie the Magnificent(1929),Philip Goes Forth(1931),The Deep Mrs. Sykes(1945), andThe Fatal Weakness(1946).Reflected Glory* (1936) served as a vehicle for Tallulah Bankhead.