Kirkland, Jack, 1902-1969

Playwright, producer, director and screenwriter, Jack Kirkland was born on July 25, 1902 in St. Louis, Missouri and died on February 22, 1969 in New York City. His biggest success was the play TOBACCO ROAD that he adapted from the novel by Erskine Caldwell. The original production ran for over 3000 performances on Broadway, 1933-1941. His first play, FRANKIE AND JOHNNIE, opened in Chicago in 1928 and on Broadway in 1930. Other plays written by Kirkland include TORTILLA FLATS, adapted from the novel by John Steinbeck, SUDS IN YOUR EYE, MR. ADAM, MAN WITH HE GOLDEN ARM and MANDINGO. He was also a theatrical producer and wrote or collaborated on screenplays.

Playwright, producer, director and screenwriter, Jack Kirkland was born on July 25, 1902 in St. Louis, Missouri and died on February 22, 1969 in New York City. His biggest success was the play Tobacco Road which he adapted from the novel by Erskine Caldwell. The original production ran for over 3000 performances on Broadway, 1933-1941. Kirkland went on to produce three more revivals of the show on Broadway and various productions toured the country for seventeen years. One production with an all-black cast was banned from Chicago and Detroit but played in London.

Kirkland began his career as a journalist. His first play, Frankie and Johnnie, opened in Chicago in 1928 and on Broadway in 1930. Other plays written by Kirkland include Tortilla Flat, adapted from the novel by John Steinbeck, I Must Love Someone, Suds in Your Eye, Georgia Boy, Strange Boarders, Mr. Adam, Man with the Golden Arm and Mandingo . He was the producer for a number of shows including Bright Honor, Forbidden Melody, Suzanna and the Elders, Tanyard Street and The Moon Vine . He also wrote or collaborated on screenplays including Now and Forever, The Golden Coach, with Jean Renoir, and Fifth Avenue Folly .

Jack Kirkland was married five times and had six children including the ballerina Gelsey Kirkland.