Title: The magic curtain
First published: 1951
Description: A lively, entertaining, egotistical success story- self-told by the famous patent lawyer, dramatist and head of the Theatre Guild. Born in a small Welsh town in rather humble circumstances, Langner entered the world of work at the age of 13, studied patent law at night, emigrated to America and started on his irrepressible rise to success. As a patent lawyer, he opened offices not only in New York and other American cities, but in Europeans capitals as well. His contacts with such men as Kettering, the Wright brothers, the inventors of Germany and England are all interesting. But he slights this material somewhat in favor of his all-absorbing hobby, the theatre. He tells the story of the formation of the Washington Square players, the founding of the Theatre Guild- its rise, vicissitudes and proliferations, the story of his own theatre- The Country Play-House in Westport, and finally the opening of the Shakespeare Festival Theatre there this year. Mr. Langner's life seems to be an extrovert's dream realized. He is in and out of a myriad of activities. All he touches succeeds, or if it doesn't, he is unaware of it. And many celebrities cross the pages of his book- and his relations with Shaw and O'Neill form a fascinating part of it....A long, aggressive, and often amusing book which may well sell considerably. The persons mentioned, and their friends, should account for 5000 copies; and those interested in the theatre in America, in which langner has played a decisive part, will add an appreciable audience. -- Kirkus Review.
Subjects: History, Theater, Theatre Guild
Places: United States
People: Lawrence Langner (1890-)
LC classification: PN2295.T5 L3