Rachel Crothers, (1878-1958) Playwright, Director

Born in Bloomington, Illinois into a distinguished family, Rachel Crothers became one of the most successful women in the entertainment industry in the twentieth century. Her Broadway and Hollywood movie credits are extensive.

She began as an actress but gave that up to teach, writing her first play in 1904. Her first success on Broadway was The Three of Us (1906), and for the next 30 years she wrote a Broadway hit virtually every season, usually producing and directing as well. Her last success was Susan and God (1936). Her witty plays were often concerned with the relations between the sexes, and with the consequences of inequality and the struggle for women's rights. Largelly ignored by the Feminist movements of the 1970s and beyond because of what many of thosesaw as her old fashioned view of the roles of men and women, Ms. Crothers was nonetheless the embodiment of the New Woman in America.

Ms. Crothers founded the Stage Women's Relief during World War I, and in 1940 took the lead in organizing the American Theatre Wing that ran the Stage Door Canteen for service people during World War II.

Ms. Crothers' Broadway credits include:
Susan and God Dec 13, 1943 - Dec 18, 1943
The Old Foolishness Directed by Rachel Crothers Dec 20, 1940 - Dec 21, 1940
Susan and God by Rachel Crothers opened Oct 7, 1937
When Ladies Meet Written and Directed by Rachel Crothers 15, 1933 - May 1932
As Husbands Go Written and Staged by Rachel Crothers Jan 19, 1933 - May 1933
When Ladies Meet Written and Staged by Rachel Crothers Oct 6, 1932 - Mar 4, 1933
Caught Wet Written and Staged by Rachel Crothers Nov 4, 1931 - Nov 1931
As Husbands Go Written and Staged by Rachel Crothers Mar 5, 1931 - Jul 1931
Let Us Be Gay Written and Directed by Rachel CrothersFeb 19, 1929 - Dec 1929
Exceeding Small Staged by Rachel Crothers Oct 22, 1928 - Dec 1928
Venus Written and Staged by Rachel Crothers Dec 26, 1927 - Jan 1928
A Lady's Virtue Written and Staged by Rachel Crothers Nov 23, 1925 - Mar 1926
The Book of Charm Produced and Staged by Rachel Crothers Sep 3, 1925 - Oct 1925
Expressing Willie Written and Staged by Rachel Crothers Apr 16, 1924 - Jun 1924
Mary the 3D Written by Rachel Crothers Feb 5, 1923 - Jun 1923
Everyday Written and Staged by Rachel Crothers Nov 16, 1921 - Jan 1922
Nice People Written and Staged by Rachel Crothers Mar 2, 1921 - Jun 1921
He and She Written by and Starring Rachel Crothers Feb 12, 1920 - Mar 1920
39 East by Rachel Crothers opened Mar 31, 1919
A Little Journey by Rachel Crothers opened Dec 26, 1918
Once Upon a Time by Rachel Crothers Apr 15, 1918 - May 1918
Mother Carey's Chickens by Rachel Crothers Sep 25, 1917 - Oct 1917
Old Lady 31 by Rachel Crothers Oct 30, 1916 - Mar 1917
The Heart of Paddy Whack by Rachel Crothers Nov 23, 1914 - Dec 5, 1914
Young Wisdom by Rachel Crothers Jan 5, 1914 - Mar 1914
Ourselves by Rachel Crothers Nov 12, 1913 - Dec 1913
Mary's Manoeuvres / Revenge, or the Pride of Lillian Le Mar
- Revenge, or the Pride of Lillian Le Mar by Rachel Crothers Feb 25, 1913 - Feb 25, 1913
A Man's World by Rachel Crothers Feb 8, 1910 - Apr 1910
Myself -- Bettina by Rachel Crothers Oct 5, 1908 - Nov 1, 1908
The Coming of Mrs. Patrick by Rachel Crothers Nov 6, 1907 - Nov 1907
The Three of Us by Rachel Crothers Oct 17, 1906 - May 1907