The Immortalist.

by Ruth Goetz, Augustus Goetz

The Immoralist is a play adapted from the novel by André Gide by Augustus and Ruth Goetz. The original production starred James Dean, Louis Jourdan and Geraldine Page.

Genres: Plays

64 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Aaron Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sort of awkward adaptation of André Gide's novel. It actually seems very Tennessee Williams (with Williams staple Geraldine Page in the leading role to boot), but without the language or fascinating hysteria of Williams. This isn't without its charms – the end of act two is particularly intriguing – but it's hard to believe that Elia Kazan or anyone else saw James Dean in the role of Bachir the houseboy and thought let's put this guy in the movies! It is equally hard to believe that this was of any interest to anybody when it was revived in the early 1960s with Frank Langella.

[Michael Ritchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A play from the 1950s based on Andre Gide's novel from 1902. I read the novel way back in the 1970s and, though my memories of it are hazy at best, the play seems only loosely inspired by Gide. A man who can't accept his same-sex desires marries his close friend but cannot consummate the marriage. The two move to Algeria and he winds up seduced by the indolent local boys. James Dean played his seductor in the original Broadway production. It's not exactly tragic, and the ending feels a bit like a cop-out.

[Zachary Pareizs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notable for historical importance more than any artistic merit. Still, the play that remains is decent and a worthy read.

[josie b · Rating 2 out of 5]

french

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the play version of the novel.