Purlie Victorious

by Ossie Davis

Davis, Ossie. Purlie Victorious. A Comedy in Three Acts. New York, Samuel French, Inc., 1961. 18,2 cm x 12,6 cm. 90 pages. With Scene Design illustration. Original Softcover. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. Ossie Davis (born Raiford Chatman Davis; December 18, 1917 – February 4, 2005) was an American film, television and Broadway actor, director, poet, playwright, author, and social activist. When Davis wanted to pursue a career in acting, he ran into the usual roadblocks that blacks suffered at that time as they generally could only portray stereotypical characters such as Stepin Fetchit. Instead, he tried to follow the example of Sidney Poitier and play more distinguished characters. When he found it necessary to play a Pullman porter or a butler, he tried to portray the character seriously and not in a stereotypical manner. In addition to acting, Davis, along with Melvin Van Peebles, and Gordon Parks was one of the notable African-American directors of his generation: he directed movies like Gordon's War, Black Girl and Cotton Comes to Harlem. Along with Bill Cosby and Poitier, Davis was one of a handful of African American actors able to find commercial success while avoiding stereotypical roles prior to 1970, which also included a significant role in the 1965 movie The Hill alongside Sean Connery plus roles in The Cardinal and The Scalphunters. However, Davis never had the tremendous commercial or critical success that Cosby and Poitier enjoyed. As a playwright, Davis wrote Paul Robeson: All-American, which is frequently performed in theatre programs for young audiences. Davis found recognition late in his life by working in several of director Spike Lee's films, including Do The Right Thing, Jungle Fever, She Hate Me and Get on the Bus. He also found work as a commercial voice-over artist and served as the narrator of the early-1990s CBS sitcom Evening Shade, starring Burt R..

Genres: Plays, Fiction, Theatre, Humor, Drama, Classics, Audiobook

96 pages

First published June 1, 1961

About the author

Ossie Davis was born Raiford Chatman Davis, a son of Kince Charles Davis, a railway construction engineer, and his wife Laura Cooper. The name Ossie came from a county clerk who misheard his mother's pronunciation of his initials "R.C." when he was born. Following the wishes of his parents, he attended Howard University but dropped out in 1939 to fulfill his acting career in New York; he later attended Columbia University School of General Studies. His acting career, which spanned seven decades, began in 1939 with the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem. He made his film debut in 1950 in the Sidney Poitier film No Way Out. He voiced Anansi the spider on the PBS children's television series Sesame Street in its animation segments.

Davis experienced many of the same struggles that most African American actors of his generation underwent; he wanted to act but he did not want to play stereotypical subservient roles, such as a butler, that was the standard for black actors of his generation. Instead, he tried to follow the example of Sidney Poitier and play more distinguished characters. When he found it necessary to play a Pullman porter or a butler, he tried to inject the role with a certain degree of dignity.

In 2003, both Ossie Davis and his wife Ruby Dee starred and narrated in the HBO film Unchained Memories, a tribute to the WPA slave narratives.

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ossie Davis is as brilliant a writer as he was an actor. Purlie Victorious is laugh out loud funny, but infuriating at the same time. Sad to say nothing has changed since the time in which this what writer, nor since the time in which it is set. A really great theatrical satire that should be presented more often!

[Nesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Bold. Bitingly funny—and still heartbreakingly relevant.

I had never even heard of Purlie Victorious until recently, but I’m so glad I found it. Ossie Davis crafts a masterwork of satire that walks the tightrope between comedy and commentary with remarkable precision. The story is absurd at times—in the best way possible—but never without purpose. Every exaggerated moment carries the weight of truth about racism, religion, and resilience in the American South.

The characters are a riot—Purlie’s fiery oration, Lutiebelle’s underestimated brilliance, and even Charlie’s surprising arc had me laughing and reflecting in equal measure. The scene where Purlie delivers a righteous lie with full-blown conviction had me riled up even though I knew better. That’s how powerful the writing is. And, honestly, that moment hit close to home. As someone who’s experienced what we ex-Christians refer to as “church hurt,” the performative nature of Black religion in this play felt both triggering and fascinating. It made me confront how easily a good orator can blur the line between truth and manipulation.

What I appreciated most was that Purlie, though a preacher and a man of the people, is not perfect. He’s righteous, yes—but also flawed, theatrical, and ambitious. That felt deeply true. So often, religious figures in fiction are either saints or villains. Here, we get something far more honest: a human.

Purlie Victorious deserves far more recognition. It’s not just a great read—it’s a reminder that satire is a tool for survival, and laughter, even in the darkest circumstances, is resistance.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satiric but unfortunately still timely, it depicts the horror as well as the absurdity.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read the play because the cast in the current revival on Broadway talked so fast I only heard half the dialogue. It is still politically trenchant 50 years after its original production, but also very funny in spots too.

[Austin Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purlie Victorious is a razor-sharp satire that blends humor with urgent social critique. Set in rural Georgia, the play follows Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson as he schemes to reclaim a church, free his community from exploitation, and outwit the tyrannical Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee. His plan, involving a comic impersonation by Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins, delivers both laughs and biting commentary on racism, power, and resilience. On the page, the script brims with theatrical energy. Davis’s dialogue is witty, rhythmic, and bold, giving Purlie’s speeches a preacher’s cadence that still resonates today. Some characters verge on caricature, but this only amplifies the farce, keeping the play quick, funny, and purposeful. More than sixty years after its premiere, Purlie Victorious remains fresh, vital, and deeply entertaining. A joyous, defiant classic—five stars without hesitation.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great listen! - Purlie and his family are determined to reclaim their church. Armed with righteous indignation and an imposter relative, they go up against a bigoted plantation owner to get money rightly due to the family. Little did they know twas unnecessary. There was an angel at work on their behalf, smack dab in the middle of the bed of snakes. A great listen, wonderfully performed by all parties, that harkens back to the days when men were even less kind and upstanding than they are now.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this play on Broadway and it was hilarious and moving! The actors were phenomenal. I wanted to read the play to enjoy it all over again. Reading the play, I was able to remember the amazing performance. This is such a wonderfully written play with truths that resonate through time. I highly recommend reading this play.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would love to see this in person! Such a wonderful play that is both funny and true to date even now. I listened to the Audible Original which is available now for free. It is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. I slowed the reading down by 0.1 sometimes 0.2 because some parts are very fast.

[Erin Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really learning lately that I should be reading/watching more plays. This was so, so good and not just because of my bias towards Leslie Odin Jr. Also (and as always) Coleman Domingo would slay in this.

[Brenda Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on Audible. Great cast. I love audio dramas, but this one was a challenge for me. An excellent example of a piece that would be better visually than auditory. Wish I could see it - bet it would be amazing.

[Gelyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good and still relevant in today’s world with racism! I recommend 101%!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeless! The funniest play I've ever read.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this *after* seeing the new production on Broadway. Not sure it would have the same kick without that. But with it, PV is a wonder.

[Bobby Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This play is billed as a comedy. I confess, I just didn't find it very funny, except Ol Cap'n dying standing up when he discovers he's been outwitted at the end.

[Michael P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of wish fulfillment, but some wishes ought to be fulfilled.

[Jerricka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny raw story

[Anna Wyss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting perspective and well presented.

[Ericka · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting listen of life in Georgia. Purlie's journey to gain back church, Big Bethel.

[Rich Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and powerful story of injustice and trickery in Georgia. The narrators were very good as were the effects.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Same bite as August Wilson. Ideas as relevant today (unfortunately) as they were in 1961. Good spots of humor, too. Listened to Audible audio play.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the Audible edition which is not listed here.
It was entertaining and informative to listen to.

[Aaron Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A broad, angry, hilarious farce from 1961. This play is an absolute delight firmly rooted in Davis's anti-segregation politics. It's also hopeful, fun, and silly while also being smart about how it satirizes nearly everyone in Jim Crow Georgia.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool play. Fun. Not as tidy as Oscar Wilde, but still comparable and definitely more radical. I liked that it wrapped up a little not as expected. I liked turning corners a little confused, a little thrown off by the deviation from what the plot line was promising. And it's like Sweet Sweetback, a play made specifically so that the black man wins. Cool stuff.