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!