The Curious Savage

by John Patrick

Mrs. Savage has been left ten million dollars by her husband and wants to make the best use of it, in spite of the efforts of her grown-up stepchildren to get their hands on it. These latter, knowing that the widow's wealth is now in negotiable securities, and seeing they cannot get hold of it, commit her to a "sanatorium" hoping to "bring her to her senses." But Mrs. Savage is determined to establish a fund to help others realize their hopes and dreams. In the sanatorium she meets various social misfits, men and women who just cannot adjust themselves to life, people who need the help Mrs. Savage can provide. In getting to know them, she realizes that she will find happiness with them and plans to spend the rest of her life as one of them. But when the doctor tells her there is no reason why she should remain, she hesitates to go out into a hard world where people seem ready to do anything for money. The self-seeking stepchildren are driven to distraction by their vain efforts to browbeat Mrs. Savage, but she preserves her equanimity and leads them on a merry chase. At last her friends conspire to get rid of her stepchildren, and through their simple belief in the justice of her cause, they enable Mrs. Savage to carry out her plans. The last scene, a farewell party, is a delightful fantasy where each "guest" in the sanatorium realizes at last some hopeless dream for something he was never able to realize. The dominant mood is high comedy, and the audience is left with a feeling that the neglected virtues of kindness and affection have not been entirely lost in a world that seems motivated at times only by greed and dishonesty.

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Drama, Fiction, Humor, Comedy, Read For School

78 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1950

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

John Patrick Goggin was an American playwright and screenwriter.
Abandoned by his parents, he had a delinquent youth that he spend in foster homes and boarding schools. He married at 19 and got a job as an announcer at KPO Radio in San Francisco, California. After being a scriptwriter for the radio program Cecil and Sally he began writing screenplays, and later he turned to writing screenplays.
On November 7, 1995 he committed suicide.

Reviews

[Seyed Mohammad Reza Mahdavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*

[Manuel Alfonseca · Rating 4 out of 5]

ENGLISH: This is the second time I have watched this play, in the Estudio-1 archive. I had watched it half a century ago. This time I have liked it a lot.

A widowed woman is placed in a mental health home by her stepchildren, who want to seize her money. The other patients are revolutionized by her presence. In the end, the curious protagonist outwits her relatives and while saying goodbye makes the other patients happy.

ESPAÑOL: Esta es la segunda vez que veo esta obra, en el archivo de Estudio-1. La había visto hace medio siglo. Esta vez me ha gustado mucho.

Una mujer viuda es ingresada en una residencia de enfermos mentales por sus hijastros, que quieren apoderarse de su dinero. Los demás pacientes se revolucionan por su presencia. Al final, la desconcertante protagonista burla a sus parientes y al despedirse hace felices a los demás pacientes.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

'I adore 'Macbeth': all that blood.'

[MaryAnna McKnight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege to be a part of a production this play (I played Florence if you’re wondering). I fell in love with these characters and the message!

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was reminded of this play today because I wore the jersey my high school drama club created to promote our production of it in - I think - my junior year. (Yes, I am something of a clothes horse - I have items of apparel that are 20+ years old.)

I played Hannibal.

What made this play particularly special for my troupe was that our drama teacher (Mrs. Warren) usually stuck with large-ensemble, family-type stuff like "I Remember Mama" or "Our Town" because she wanted to include as many willing students as possible in the cast. Not a bad sentiment but it limited what we could do. This was a bit of a departure, and all the more memorable for that.

[Thalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read the review on my blog:
http://thaliasbooks.tumblr.com/post/3...

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This show is truly hilarious. I am so excited to audition

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose this is a pretty low-key story on the surface, but it is clever and sweet and some real food for thought. I don't know if I would think much of it if I hadn't seen it performed...
I confess I am quite biased (because my daughter played the part), but the resident named "Fairy May" is a particular delight. Her bold tales ("I was kidnapped by gypsies once") contrast with her plea to everyone to tell her they love her, but the new guest offers a new perspective on both aspects... Fairy's last line in the play - if you've been paying attention - will melt your heart.
I wanted to learn so much more about each of the characters - but in the end that is kind of the point, I suppose....
Note: I never got to see the play performed for an audience, which was a serious disappointment for all parties involved. The students were only a few weeks from "opening night" when the pandemic restrictions closed down the school building for the remainder of 2020...

[Jessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has a tender ending and a lot of potential for some good comedy, but as an actual show it’s just ok. Many of the residents are just fillers. The entire show could be done without Fairy, Florence, or Hannibal. Mrs. Paddy is only useful during the climax. The siblings can be funny, but really their personalities are just there to counter the sweet, kind nature of the residents. In all honestly, this show might make a really good 45min monologue.

I’m playing Florence in a January 2022 community theater production.

Great option for a show if you need/have a small audition pool. Only 6 women and 4 men. (The doctor could be played by either gender.)

[Gene · Rating 5 out of 5]

the bars are to keep the world out—

my time at 5west has shown me that much. the purity of kindness one can find in an asylum.

each character is charming and special and sad— only because they have to stay in their eggshell because the world could never stomach gentle creatures such as these.

love has a lot of variations, money has few uses, and darkness (well timed) can be better that the brightest of lights.

a sweet read.

[Steve Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this script, and it’s wonderful. Funny and poignant. The play was written in 1950 but could easily be performed today.

A Mrs. Savage is committed to a sanatorium by her greedy stepchildren because she insists on giving her late husbands money to good causes. They hope “to bring her to her senses”. While there she encounters some unusual but interesting residents who struggle with reality.

It’s a beautiful, funny and compelling screenplay. I loved it.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely magical. My theatre company is doing this play in spring 2025 and the director asked me to read it ahead of time and I’m so glad I did. This may be my new favorite play. The characters are all adorable and charming and (for the most part) lovable.

It’s a lovely tale of nasty people getting what they deserve.

[Aria]

dnf. p. 24. Not my cup of tea. Completely meh. 2-stars at best, despite the decent overall idea of the thing. I agree w/ this review by Thalia: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Victoria Korey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most lovely, heart warming story! Very investible characters; I was sad when it is over. I only took 1 star away due to the dated text and references that are lost on today’s audience. However, one could argue that the time period does add to the charm of this story.

[Grace Coe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated, but cute! It’s one of those scripts where you’d need to see it live to get the heart of it, otherwise it’s just kinda boring. Best parts were the reveal of the “eggshell world” and when Lily-Belle gets called a whore in every conceivable way.

[Paul Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolute delight. Would love to direct this amazing play.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly enjoyed this play! The characters were very interesting and the plot line was clever. It will definitely be a consideration for my theater company’s winter play.

[Mary Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this script. I would definitely like to see it on stage and would enjoy a chance to direct it.

[Lynn B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little play.
I liked all the characters and the story line.

Would like to take this play on as either actor or director.

[Norah Prouhet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat dated this farce about a dysfunctional family is amusing. Depending on how far the Director takes it with costuming and props can be"campy".

[Alisa Mirabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this play. It tell a simple, yet poignant story in a fun way. Great characters!!!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did this one years ago. Very moving.

[Bill Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly good show that is well constructed. Somewhat dated.

[Gena Lott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful. Can't wait to do the show!

[jessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

playing ethel savage in our production and she really is everything. i want to be that woman when i grow up she really said i will cause problems on purpose

[Amanda Coody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great opportunities for character dev

[Mai · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite play (and part) ever! And i've done and seen and read a lot of plays! This is sweet and heartwarming and funny and makes me soo very happy.

[Flew Flewelling · Rating 5 out of 5]

1950’s (could be present?)
Comedy
Perils of money
Contrast between patients and Savage kids
Each patient doesn’t see what they want
Great character work

[Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much and it was such a bittersweet story

[End2end2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars