#helen mackellar

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Two Against the World (The Case of Mrs. Pembroke) (1936) William C. McGann

February 8th 2026

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WHEN HELL FROZE

1930

When Hell Froze is a play by William Daniel Steele and Norma Mitchell, based on a Harper Prize-winning short story by Mr. Steele. The original production was produced by Kenneth McGowan and Joseph Verner Reed, staged by John D. Williams, and designed by Mr. Steele. It starred Helen MacKellar. 

It was billed as a ‘new comedy about obstinate people’ and tells the story of a farm wife that is branded as a harlot by the narrow-minded farm folk of the town. 

In July 1929, the playwrights were interviewed by Jessie Henderson of the Standard-Examiner and discussed When Heaven Froze. 

If it proves successful Mr. Steele says he's a good mind to write another called "When Heaven Boiled"!  

"But you couldn't laugh" Miss Mitchell admonished. "It's a serious play It's theme is very American" 

Murders? Bootleg? Guns? Politics? 

"None of those.” Mr. Steele assured us, which is a news item In itself.

"Just life. Life on a farm.”

Does virtue triumph? 

"Oh no!" the co-authors said as one man in a shocked voice.

It sounded like a good play so we asked Mr. Steele's opinion of the American drama in general. 

"If my play succeeds" he an answered "I can safely say that drama in America Is on a high and substantial plane. If it does not, I despair of the American theatre."

In mid-December, the casting of Arthur Hohl, Carl Reid, and Spring Byington was announced.  Byington’s career later included a seven-year run on radio and television as the star of “December Bride”. In 1938, she received an Oscar nomination for her role in You Can't Take It with You.

The world premiere took place at Nixon’s Apollo Theatre on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City on January 6, 1930.  Next stop Maxine Elliott’s Theatre on Broadway! 

The Atlantic City Press called it a “Slow Moving Play”:

“Miss MacKellar always finds a friendly audience in Atlantic City. This part keeps her washing dishes and peeling potatoes so much that it is not until the end of the second act that she gest much opportunity to display her talents. After that she isn’t seen until the end of the play.” ~ J.J. FARRELL, ATLANTIC CITY PRESS

A day after the AC engagement ended, newspapers announced a delay. 

By March, the production was said to be postponed “until next season.” MacKellar would be replaced by Jane Cowl, who would play it in rep with Twelfth Night, directed now by Frederick Stanhope, set for October 14 at Maxine Elliott’s. 

But when after advertising the rep, When Hell Froze was again cancelled, this time citing “unforeseen circumstance”. The out-of-town tryout in Baltimore would only present Twelfth Night. 

Cowl traveled to Boston where critics savaged Hell, and it was swiftly withdrawn. Plans for their next stop (Broadway) had her eventually replacing Hell with another 20th century play to rep with Twelfth Night, but that, too, never happened. Instead, Cowl opened the Shakespeare play by itself on Broadway at Maxine Elliott’s on October 15, 1930. It played 65 performances. 

Even if When Hell Froze never made it to Broadway, it still had an impact. 

After the play’s first performance, a congratulatory telegram would help change Western Union policy about foul language.  Oh, Hell!   

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LOVEBOUND

1929

Lovebound (formerly known as See Saw) is a play by Thomas F. Fallon. It was originally produced by Lew Cantor and staged by Victor Morley starring Helen MacKellar. 

Don, who has been ejected from his home by his capitalist father, gets into a row in the New York City night club In which Kit performs. He Is much the worse for wear as a result of alcoholic beverages and Kit brings him home in this befuddled state to her shabby little apartment.  Don becomes a regular boarder In Kit’s flat and he is supported by the girl, who has fallen hopelessly in love with him. A worthless idler, Don soon proves himself a rotter of the deepest dye. Kit buys him food and clothing and keeps him supplied with money, which he spends in other directions.

Rehearsals began at the end of April 1929. 

“I think it will prove to be the most thrilling engagement I have ever had.” ~ HELEN MACKELLAR

“Helen MacKellar, star of ‘Lovebound’ which is coming to the Majestic next week, insists on music at rehearsals. Despite stories in some of the papers that Lew Cantor, her manager, engaged a pianist during the pre-premiere periods, the fact is that Miss MacKellar was the one who demanded music. It is whispered that the music was needed to quiet Miss MacKellar's nerves, because Victor Morley, who staged ‘Lovebound’ allows no time cut for rest periods. In other words, he calls his company at a given hour and calls it a day six hours later.”  ~ BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE

The play premiered at Brooklyn’s Majestic Theatre on May 13, 1929. 

“’Lovebound’ was a very mess of cheapness.” ~ ARTHUR POLLACK

Lovebound opened in Atlantic City at Nixon’s Apollo Theatre on May 20, 1929. 

“For the most part, it is a grim and tragic picture of a sordid segment of life in the city.” ~ J.J. FARRELL, ATLANTIC CITY PRESS

After Brooklyn and Atlantic City, due to the less-than-enthusiastic reviews, Cantor decided to concentrate on other plays, and return to Lovebound in the fall. But that never happened. Lovebound died on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. 

The stock market crash plunged the nation into the Great Depression in October 1929. There was no money to risk on plays that were not sure to make a profit.  

Lew Cantor, whose play Courage was still on Broadway while Lovebound was trying out, did bring a new play to Broadway in the fall: Soldiers and Women, which played two months at the Ritz. 

Helen MacKellar, who had waited two years in search of her role in Lovebound, finally returned to Broadway in August 1930 in Through The Night. It lasted just a week. 

Thomas F. Fallon, a veteran of nine Broadway shows, he died in June 1930 and never again saw his name on a Broadway marquee. 

The 1932 ‘B’ film Love Bound (two words) is not related to the play. Coincidentally, the film features footage of the ocean liner Majestic, which is also the name of the theatre where Lovestruck the play premiered! 

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BACK PAY

1921

Back Pay is a play in three acts and an epilogue by Fannie Hurst, based on her 1919 short story of the same name which was published in Cosmopolitan Magazine. The play was originally produced by A.H. Woods and staged by Elwood F. Bostwick, who also appeared in the cast billed as E.F. Bostwick. It starred Helen MacKellar as Hester Bevins. 

The cast also included Lucille LaVerne, who later provided the voice of the Queen / Witch in Walt Disney's 1937 animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Hester Bevins is a simple country girl who yearns for adventure. Though she has a handsome young man, Jerry, who is devoted to her, she leaves her village and goes to New York in search of a grander life. There she becomes the lover of a wealthy and unscrupulous businessman. But when Jerry returns blinded and dying from the war, Hester must choose between her new life and the man whose loyalty to her has never failed.

Hurst’s short stories inspired several successful plays and films: Humoresque (1920 & 1946), Imitation of Life (1934 & 1959), and Back Street (1932 & 1941), to name a few.  Her total publications over her nearly six-decade career include 19 novels, over 300 short stories, 4 plays produced on Broadway, and screenplays for several films.

Back Pay premiered in Atlantic City at Woods Theatre (owned an operated by the producer) on the Boardwalk on August 14, 1921. The theatre was later known as the Savoy. The same night that Back Pay opened in Atlantic City, A.H. Woods also opened another play, The Pink Slip, in Asbury Park, about an hour away. After its AC engagement, Back Pay replaced The Pink Slip in AP. The Pink Slip was given a pink slip and never made it to Broadway. Not so for Back Pay.  In the meantime, Back Pay moved from AP to LB (Long Branch) on its flight path to Broadway. 

Back Pay opened on Broadway at Eltinge’s 42nd Street Theatre On August 30, 1921. It ran 79 performances. 

Back Pay was filmed in 1921 starring Seena Owen as Hester. In Atlantic City, it played at the Criterion Theatre on the Boardwalk in late July 1922. Scenes were filmed in New Jersey at the Delaware Water Gap. 

“The screen version contains milk and water, where the stage play contained warm blood. Obviously the play has been contorted to meet the demands of censorship. This has emasculated it.” ~ JAMES W. DEAN

Back Pay was filmed again (this time with sound) in 1930 starring Corinne Griffith as Hester. It was first screened in Atlantic City at the Stanley Theatre (later known as the Roxy) on the Boardwalk in mid-June 1930. 

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Helen MacKellar in the original Broadway production "The Unknown Purple" (1918). Photograph by Mary Dale Clarke.