The Cow Jumped Over the Moon

For the nursery rhyme known as The Cow Jumped Over the Moon, see Hey Diddle Diddle.

The Cow Jumped Over the Moon
Written by	Sumner Locke Elliott
Date premiered	30 October 1937[1]
Place premiered	Independent Theatre, Sydney
Original language	English
Genre	comedy

The Cow Jumped Over the Moon is a 1937 Australian stage play by Sumner Locke Elliott. It was the first stage play by Elliott who was only twenty years old when it debuted.[2][3]

Elliott's biographer said the play influenced almost every novel he wrote.[4]

Reception

Reviewing the original production at the Independent Theatre the Sydney Morning Herald said "Dialogue is brisk, convincing, and studded with certain laughs; characterisation is excellent; and the plot is well conceived and skilfully developed. It lacks the self-conscious amateur touch of most Australian plays, and must be rated among the best local efforts of the year."[5] Another critic wrote "Apart from the bright story and snappy lines, this comedy is so well written that every character gets into the spotlight."[6] The Bulletin said "The play drew a crowded audience, and, what is more, kept its laughter and interest right till the final curtain."[7]

The play was performed for a season in Los Angeles at the Call Board Theatre in 1938.[8] The play had been suggested by William Rees, formerly of Sydney who then lived in Los Angeles.[9]

The play was seen by scouts from MGM who at one stage reportedly considered it for a vehicle for Billie Burke but decided against it on the grounds it was too similar to The Vinegar Tree.[10]

Elliott later recalled the play "took about three days to complete, which is easily understandable if you take into consideration it is merely The Vinegar Tree with artificial colouring. . . . On the opening night a fuse blew out in the second act requiring most of the act to be played with the house lights on and seemed to me at the time a major catastrophe. I think I gave a rather conceited opening night speech and | received an anonymous letter about my profanity."[11]

Premise

A widowed middle aged woman meets an ex boyfriend.

References

1. "THE INDEPENDENT THEATRE". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 31, 147. New South Wales, Australia. 30 October 1937. p. 10. Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
2. "Stage and Sereen Personalities". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 26 October 1937. p. 8 Supplement: Women's Supplement. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
3. "AT THE SYDNEY TIVOLI". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 23 October 1937. p. 15 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
4. Clarke, Sharon (1995). Sumner Locke Elliott: writing life. University of Woollongong. p. 216.
5. "Comedy In The English Manner". The Daily Telegraph. Vol. II, no. 192. New South Wales, Australia. 1 November 1937. p. 6. Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
6. "THEATRICAL THEMES". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 30 July 1938. p. 15 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
7. "A WOMAN'S LETTER", The Bulletin, ISSN 0007-4039, nla.obj-574086335, retrieved 5 September 2023 – via Trove
8. ""STARS OF THE AIR" SUMNER LOCKE-ELLIOTT—PLAYWRIGHT, ACTOR AND SOLDIER". Wodonga and Towong Sentinel. Vic.: National Library of Australia. 15 December 1944. p. 1. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
9. "Spotlight on Society". The Sun. No. 8921. New South Wales, Australia. 9 August 1938. p. 11 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
10. "Round Melbourne Shows..." The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 12 June 1946. p. 13 Supplement: Woman's Magazine. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
11. Rees, Leslie (1987). Australian drama, 1970-1985 : a historical and critical survey. p. 183.

External links

• The Cow Jumped Over the Moon at Ausstage