Sweet Thursday (1954) was begun as a whimsical attempt to “convert” the characters and themes of Steinbeck’s previous novel, Cannery Row (1945). The concept was initially conceived first as a dramatic vehicle (1950) and then as a musical comedy (1952), the latter project to be produced by Steinbeck’s personal friend, Frank Loesser, who would also provide the melodies for the production. When the adaptation attempt failed, Steinbeck initially decided to keep the idea of writing an experimental play, and in 1953 he began in earnest on a project entitled “Bear Flag”, the name of the seedy whorehouse in Monterey owned by Dora and Fauna Flood. Hollywood and Broadway producer Ernest Martin eventually encouraged Steinbeck to

This article in full comprises 2412 words but only the first 150 or so words are available to non-members.

All our articles have been written recently by experts in their field, more than 95% of them university professors. To read about membership, please click here.

Published 12 October 2009

Citation: Meyer, Michael J.. "Sweet Thursday". The Literary Encyclopedia. 12 October 2009.
[http://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=1792, accessed 21 November 2009.]