Good Melodramas

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Posted: 1/20/08 at 2:37pm

Can anyone point me in the direction of some good melodramas? I'd appreciate some suggestions from the beginning of the 1800's through the present day. Also any insights into the field of melodrama are greatly appreciated!

(And Yes I have already done a search)

[jordangirl]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 4:34pm

I'm not sure about play-wise. But movie-wise for a good modern one try Far From Heaven.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 5:15pm

I know this probably begs the question and is open to argument, but IMO The Little Foxes is more melodrama than anything else. It has all the elements: the bad people are really bad, the good people are nauseatingly good, it all hinges on the plot (I know, some people will say that it makes some kind of social statement), there are no deep psychological depths to ponder, it is easily understood AND, last but not least, when well-performed, it is a vastly entertaining play. It's somewhat telling that it is the Hellman play that has best stood the tests of time.

Updated On: 1/21/08 at 05:15 PM

[sally1112]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 5:25pm

Does The Women qualify?

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 5:55pm

"The Drunkard" is one of the best.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 8:35pm

I don't think The Women applies because it has too much of a social edge to it. And it's still a very funny show.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 8:38pm

Updated On: 5/8/09 at 08:38 PM

[me2]

Posted: 1/21/08 at 2:47pm

My former high school did a production of an old show called "Under the Gaslight." It's now public domain, and it's also extraordinarily effective. There's some old woman named Judas, a rescue from the train tracks . . . As I was watching it, I knew it was corny, but when she was freed from the train tracks, I was elated.

I think the play has some language that is now very un-PC, but it is public domain, so change away!
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