The Ladies of the Corridor

by Dorothy Parker, Arnaud d'Usseau

Drama Dorothy Parker and Arnaud d'Usseau Characters: 7 male, 9 female, 1 dog 5 Interior Sets Although THE LADIES OF THE CORRIDOR is not strictly a thesis play, its authors do have a point to make. It is that when widowhood comes to American middle-aged women, only those prepared for a career have any chance for happiness. They are mostly bitter, frustrated, bored, and driven to suicide, kleptomania or constant attendance at the movies. In particular, the dramatists are

Genres: Plays, Classics, Drama, Book Club, Theatre

132 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Dorothy Parker was an American writer, poet and critic best known for her caustic wit, wisecracks, and sharp eye for 20th century urban foibles. From a conflicted and unhappy childhood, Parker rose to acclaim, both for her literary output in such venues as The New Yorker and as a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table. Following the breakup of the circle, Parker traveled to Hollywood to pursue screenwriting. Her successes there, including two Academy Award nominations, were curtailed as her involvement in left-wing politics led to a place on the Hollywood blacklist.
Dismissive of her own talents, she deplored her reputation as a "wisecracker." Nevertheless, her literary output and reputation for her sharp wit have endured.

Reviews

[Christen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The back of the 1954 hardcover edition (I copy I have) has a review by Newsweek, "TLOTC is written with the skill and clinical accuracy that is deeply tinged with pity." True, DP is able to always been astute when it comes to her observations and typically to her observations to her own sex, which are honest and sometimes harsh. It was moving play, which I could see why it was so popular on Broadway in 1953. It was a honest, funny and heartbreaking look into the lives of women who have lost it all and trying to regain what they can.

Also, the play read more of a short story of DP than your standard play. The stage directions read more of prose than directions, which is helpful to the stage and the actors. I was completely absorbed in the directions and got annoyed went characters were speaking, which I forgave because they were witty.

[Gina Dalfonzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd say the short story and essay formats were a little better suited to Parker's style, but this is still a poignant and moving play, with characters who make a vivid impression.

[Betty-Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s darkly comedic, sad, poignant and witty. ❤️😊

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Would love to see it on stage now. Lulu seems to me to be a product of her time, even though she tried so hard to fight against her time's expectations. But then society's opinion can be so heavy and sit there watching and commenting from the lounge, shown by the other women of the house with no role of their own to fill. The characters were believable, the stories of each person interesting so you wanted to know more. Poor Charles and his selfish mother!

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a vicious little play! I love these horrible, pointless old ladies, and feel deeply sorry for them.

"Mrs. Ames, this is against my best business interest, but promise me you'll never be seen carrying a lending-library book -- the book with the cellophane dust jacket. It's the badge of the unwanted woman." - what a horrible thing to say about people who like to read! Dorothy Parker is brilliant.

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorothy Parker and Arnaud D'Usseau's play captures the lives of a range of women living in a New York hotel. Their lives once defined and controlled financially by men, the women's desperation, anxiety, and balloon-tight control is only mitigated by resentful children, needlepoint, and the servants around them. Possibly not the most sympathetic characters, Parker deftly writes these women as servants themselves to a system beyond their control.

[KtK8 Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. Would love to see it on stage now. Lulu seems to me to be a product of her time, even though she tried so hard to fight against her time's expectations. But then society's opinion can be so heavy and sit there watching and commenting from the lounge, shown by the other women of the house with no role of their own to fill. The characters were believable, the stories of each person interesting so you wanted to know more. Poor Charles and his selfish mother!

[melody mooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Dorthy Parker but I didn't love this play as much. She collaborated with Arnaud D'usseau to write it and while it does showcase some of her wit, it is a downer. It's sort of the anti- Sex and the City. I am sure for it's time some of the themes they dabble in pushed social morays but now it just seems dated and frankly depressing. I was disappointed by the ladies.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lulu, a newly widowed, stifled adventuress moves into an NYC hotel for women who's secret lives and motivations play out over a series of weeks.
The dry humor and societal mores of that time period entertained me throughout this short play

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arch and quaint in tone, this short theatrical piece still has much to say that is relevant about women and ageing.

[kyrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

didn’t even know this existed!! picked it up at the library solely because of dorothy parker. i dont even think i can put my thoughts into words… like, nothing much happens because of so many characters and lots of time jumps, which i’m not even complaining about and in fact i loved. i think the synopsis did not accurately describe the plot, maybe that’s the issue? we don’t truly follow lulu, we follow nearly all the women and i did truly enjoy that slice of life aspect.

nothing really happens yet it’s so enjoyable because of dorothy parker. she is a master at her craft, and her humour holds up so good. these women are all tied together somehow, trying to pull themselves apart with little success…? i think there are lots of ways to look at this little play. i appreciate all the women and their personalities and lives. it is refreshing to see work that was done by a woman who so understood the impact of aging and womanhood and wanted to explore it. humour will heal us all, perhaps. laugh a little more is what i always take away from dorothy parker

[Henry Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a play is great because it’s short and the dialogue-centricity makes it engaging for someone with mild adhd. This play delivers on all fronts. Its about the lives of a group of old women in 1950s NYC who live in a hotel, and their interactions with the staff. In my head, the set descriptions looked like a Wes Anderson film and the dark twists and turns of the story were shocking and surprising (in a good way).

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenge: Reading Women 2019 - A play (8). Although written and performed in the 1950s, this play has the feel of the 1930s and 40s as it dramatizes the plight of mostly upper class women before feminism. Their lives defined by the men they married, Parker's wit punctuates what happens when marriage is gone.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather sad play about women of a certain age who live lives of quiet desperation in a residential hotel in New York. Most are widowed or divorced and are anxious for ways to spend their time, although it's often in gossip, liquor, and pursuing unsuitable men.

[Ward Lehmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad Marion Meade got Penguin to republish this before she died. The play clearly meant a lot to Parker. It displays the wit and empathy she had in abundance. Too bad there’s no video of the original performance; it would be great to see Walter Matthau play Lulu’s younger boyfriend.

[Bléu · Rating 3 out of 5]

short and bittersweet ! loved the voice, the mood, the message and really a masterpiece of the 50s !

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Really good. I wish Dorothy Parker had written novels.

[Logan Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

LINSCOTT: Well, life certainly treats you fine.

CONNIE: No, Tom. Life and I go Dutch.


And you say Dorothy Parker co-wrote this? Huh.

[renping · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of clever, interesting little lines but they only make the play sadder. The ending was badly done. I think Dorothy Parker's original ending makes more sense. A nice read. Probably better to read it than watch it actually.

[Julie I.]

This one was depressing, but I can't deny myself a dose of Dottie P.