Historical Context: December, 1947

Belgrade, Missouri residents were offered comedy with a touch of satire as the year 1947 turned into 1948. Bob Hope and Jane Russell starred in the Technicolor spoof The Paleface.

From a historical standpoint, December of 1947 would become famous for another theatrical release, this time in New York City on Broadway. On Dec 3rd of that year, playwright Tennessee Williams would introduce his drama “A Streetcar Named Desire.” The play introduced also a breakthrough actor, Marlon Brando in the role of Stanley Kowalski. Also in the cast were Jessica Tandy as the ill-fated Blanche DuBois and Kim Hunter as Brando’s wife Stella. The production was directed by Elia Kazan, and it opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York. The play’s run ended after 855 performances, ultimately winning a Pulitzer Prize. Jessica Tandy was named Best Actress at the Tony Awards of 1948 for her performance. Since that initial run, the play has been revised on Broadway numerous times and is now considered a classic.