Jim Kershner’s This day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Mayor Hindley and his committee of theatrical censors attended a rehearsal of “The Devil” at the American Theater – and banned it.

The mayor wrote an official letter to the Jessie Shirley theater troupe stating that “such a play could do nothing but harm” to a family audience. He said “the interests of our young people are paramount.”

“The Devil,” by Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnar, had already caused a sensation on Broadway. In the play, the devil appeared in human form, mingling with guests at a party, prompting them to “impure thoughts, lustful passion” and “sordid evil.” At the final curtain, a young couple “choose the path of evil,” prompting a sardonic smile from the devil character.

Hindley called it “unmoral rather than immoral.”

This was the first play banned since the mayor “took upon himself the power of theatrical censor,” said The Spokesman-Review. Hindley’s committee included a minister, educators and journalists.

The American Theater questioned whether the play could be legally stopped and was considering defying the mayor.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1943: Critic Alexander Woollcott suffered a fatal heart attack during a live broadcast of the CBS radio program “People’s Platform.”

1973: President Richard Nixon announced an accord had been reached to end the Vietnam War.