Blue Jeans (play)
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1899 poster depicting the famous saw mill scene from Blue Jeans
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| Written by | Joseph Arthur |
| Date premiered | October 6, 1890 (New York) 1898 (London) |
| Place premiered | Fourteenth Street Theatre, New York City |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Drama |
| Setting | Indiana, USA |
Blue Jeans is a melodramatic play by Joseph Arthur that opened in New York City in 1890 to great popularity. The sensation of the play is a scene where the unconscious hero is placed on a board approaching a huge buzz saw in a sawmill, which became one of the most dramatic imitated scenes (eventually to the point of cliche). The play remained popular for decades, and was made into a popular silent film in 1917.
The play made its debut on October 6, 1890, at the Fourteenth Street Theatre. The original New York run of the play ran through March 7, 1891. The play enjoyed considerable success around the United States and in revivals in the following decades. It debuted in London in 1898.
A silent film version of the play was released in December 1917, and was also quite popular, starring Viola Dana as June and Robert D. Walker as Bascom.
Perry Bascom returns home to Rising Sun, Indiana to make a run for Congress, and marry Sue Eudaly. Sue's ex, Ben Boone, is at this turn of events, and successfully runs for office against Bascom. Bascom later sours on Sue, and divorces her to marry June. After various twists, Boone corners June and Bascom at Bascom's sawmill. After knocking Bascom out, Boone places him on a board approaching a huge buzz saw. June, locked in an office, escapes just in time to save Bascom from certain death.
The initial Broadway cast (October 1890) included:
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