James Whitcomb Riley
James Whitcomb Riley
#0James Whitcomb Riley
Posted: 5/14/04 at 7:44pmI have always been interested in how local writers and poets are viewed in the world. Having gone to school in Greenfield (Birthplace of Riley) for 9 years, I am afraid my view of him is skewed. Is anyone on the board familiar with him or love his poetry? I think working some of his poems together would make a great musical. I don't know if this has been attempted or not. Some of his more famous works are. "Little Orphant Annie", and "The Ole Swimming Hole" I have also heard raggedy Ann and andy were loosely based on his poems, but I am not too sure on the validity of that. I do know the creator of Raggedy Ann's parents were good friends with James Whitcomb Riley. Anyway any thoughts would be appreciated and if you know of any musicals based on his poems I would appreciate it.
#1re: James Whitcomb Riley
Posted: 5/14/04 at 8:47pm
Anyone? Even if you haven't heard of him I want to know! 
MasterLcZ
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/12/03
#2re: James Whitcomb Riley
Posted: 5/14/04 at 8:55pmI think the poem was "Raggedy Man". Did not know Reiley had any connection with Johnny Gruelle (sp.)?
#3re: James Whitcomb Riley
Posted: 5/14/04 at 8:58pmYep Raggedy Man was another one of his poems. I really do think his poems or one of his poems would make a great musical.....I saw a play based on his life a few years ago at the Indiana Reperetory Theatre, but it was written for school children.
#4re: james whitcomb riley
Posted: 5/14/04 at 9:26pmnever heard of the poet, but heard of a movie called raggedy man. sissy spacek i think.
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#5re: james whitcomb riley
Posted: 5/14/04 at 10:08pm
"And the Gobiluns'll getcha if ya don't watch out!" I found this in IBDB it is only a play based on his poems, but it's a start even though it's from 1918. http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=6967http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=6967>http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=6967
MasterLcZ
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/12/03
#6re: james whitcomb riley
Posted: 5/15/04 at 12:58amRiley was the first father of "Little Orphan Annie"...the Harold Grey comic strip came along MANY years later.
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