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James Reach

JAMES REACH

  (1905 - 1970)
Nationality:    USA
email:    n/a     Website:    n/a

Literary Agent:    n/a

Born in Brooklyn 1905 - Died in Manhattan 1970. James Reach, a playwright and director of the literary department of Samuel French, Inc., publishers, died March 5, 1970, after an apparent heart attack. He was the author of more than 200 plays, about 50 of them mysteries. They were produced by college and other theatrical groups throughout the country. Among his works were One Mad Night, Danger From the Sky and We're All Guilty. He also wrote seven suspense novels, short stories, and numerous radio and television scripts. In a 1949 review of his first novel, Late Last Night, in The New York Times he was described as an "ingenious" writer whose work was for "the aficionado who likes his puzzle on the cryptic side." Mr. Reach also adapted some works for the stage, including David and Lisa, from the novel by Theodore Rubin and screenplay by Eleanor Perry. James Reach, a graduate of Texas Christian University, was active in the Mystery Writers of America and was elected its president in 1968. He was also a member of The Players. Surviving are his widow, the former Alice Scanlan, also a writer, and a daughter, Carol.

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below is a list of James Reach's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         Afraid of the Dark         Are Teachers Human?         Bear Witness         Case of the Laughing Dwarf, The         Clock Struck Twelve, The         Danger - Girls Working         David And Lisa         Dear Phoebe         Dragnet         For the Defense         House of Horrors         Innocent One, The         It Walks At Midnight         Leading Lady         Lunatics At Large         Meet Me At The Prom         Mr Snoop Is Murdered         Murder Is My Business         Murder Over Miami         Murder Takes the Stage         My Friend Irma         Now That April's Here         One Mad Night         Patterns         We're All Guilty         Why Not Join the Giraffes?         Women In White         You, The Jury

Afraid of the Dark

Afraid of the Dark
Chauncey Stone has always been afraid of the dark. He arrives to honeymoon with his new wife at his aunt's deserted country mansion. They are in the sitting room when all the lights go out plunging them in to darkness

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Inc, New York   978-0573601026

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Thriller

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Are Teachers Human?

Synopsis:
The new English teacher at the High School decides to put on a play written by one of the students in verse. The play is incomprehensible

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY, 1956   978-0573601033

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Bear Witness

Synopsis:
explores whether a law abiding citizen should cooperate with the police when he sees a crime in which he is personally not involved

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Suspense Drama

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Case of the Laughing Dwarf, The

Synopsis:
An old secluded hotel. There is a legend that if a dwarf is heard to laugh someone will die. Georgia the owner has decided to close it down when numerous odd guests check in. One is a munitions manufacturer. The gnome is heard to laugh and the munitions manufacturer turns up dead

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Inc, New York   978-0573601187

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Thriller

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Clock Struck Twelve, The

Synopsis:
Peggy, Gail and Mimi are members of a struggling singing group. During a tremendous storm they take shelter at an isolated manor. Two years before there had been a nasty murder when a grandson allegedly killed his grandfather

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Inc, New York   978-0573601194

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Thriller

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Danger - Girls Working

Synopsis:
some diamonds go missing at a New York girl's boarding house, they have two hours to solve the mystery before the police are called

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
mystery comedy Mystery

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  11            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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David And Lisa

Synopsis:
retells the strange, appealing and utterly fascinating story of two mentally disturbed adolescents

Notes:
book by theodore Isaac Rubin

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Adaptation

Parts:
Male:  11            Female:  11            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Dear Phoebe

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
Written by James Reach and Tom Taggart. Based on the television play "Dear Phoebe" by Alex Gottlieb

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
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1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Adaptation

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Dragnet

Synopsis:
Sergeant Joe Friday is called out to a case of suicide. The dead man is locked in his study with a gun in his hand. However, the bullet that killed him is of a different calibre from the one in his hand

Notes:
Based on the NBC Radio-television Series

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY, 1956   978-0573608230

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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For the Defense

Synopsis:
intricately plotted courtroom Drama revolving around a question of morals and ethics

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  8            Female:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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House of Horrors

Synopsis:
Two chorus girls return from Australia - one of them Janice has inherited a mansion from her late uncle. The girls go to the property and discover that instead of a mansion it is a run down old house. The house has been filled with an assorted odd ball squatters. Then they learn it is haunted by the uncle

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Inc, New York   978-0573601798

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Thriller

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Innocent One, The

Synopsis:
A young man is unexpectedly acquitted a grisly murder of a young woman

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY, 1965   978-0573610691

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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It Walks At Midnight

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Bakers Plays   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Thriller

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Leading Lady

Synopsis:
Actress Norma Temple returns to the Regal Theatre which is about to be demolished. She remembers her past triumphs

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY, 1962   978-0573611490

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Lunatics At Large

Synopsis:
1930. Playwright Don Cutter runs a "nuthouse" on the side

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   978-0573619656

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Thriller

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Meet Me At The Prom

Synopsis:
The seniors at Central High during Thanksgiving Week. Someone steals the ticket money for the prom and the wrong person is accused. Two rivals battle it out to be Prom Queen

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Bakers Plays   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Youth play

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  10            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Mr Snoop Is Murdered

Synopsis:
A famous gossip columnist has a radio programme. He is in his office about to broadcast with the radio announcer, his secretary and bodyguard plus a young woman who is begging him not to make something public about herself. As the broadcast starts Sax drops dead - poisoned

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Inc, New York   978-0573623202

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Thriller

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Murder Is My Business

Synopsis:
A beautiful blonde hires PI Mike Shayne to find the body of her brother that has disappeared from an hotel room

Notes:
Novel By Brett Halliday

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY, 1958   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Mystery

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Murder Over Miami

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Murder Takes the Stage

Synopsis:
Rehearsals for a new play at a Summer Theatre. The services of a star have been obtained - but Mitzi is detested by the rest of the cast. During rehearsals Mitzi's character is shot - but someone has replaced the blanks with real bullets

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY, 1957   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Mystery Play Mystery

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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My Friend Irma

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Now That April's Here

Synopsis:
Justine and Craig meet at the prom and fall in love. It is now the Easter break and Craig is going to take her to a fancy dance at an hotel. However, Justine catches measles

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Inc, New York   978-0573623547

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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One Mad Night

Synopsis:
Playwright James Cutter and his Chinese man servant go to the Cutter Mansion which has been deserted for years. They are surprised to find that Lady Macbeth and Mr Hyde have taken up residence

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Inc, New York   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Thriller

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Patterns

Synopsis:
Staples is brought in to the firm Ramsey and Company he is to be groomed to replace Andy Sloane who is old and ill

Notes:
Based on the television play by Rod Serling

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Adaptation

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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We're All Guilty

Synopsis:
Seventeen year old Gary Durant is on trial for injuring two young women. Gary has had a privileged upbringing, so the juvenile court judge wants to probe and find the cause of the violence. In her chambers and without the lawyers she questions all those involved

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY, 1962   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  8            Female:  9            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Why Not Join the Giraffes?

Synopsis:
Fifteen year old Suzie lives in a posh part of New York City. Her parents are unconventional and she wishes that they were not. Her brother has formed a rock group called "the Giraffes" a fact that she thinks lacks cultural significance. the reason she is thinking this way is because a new boy has moved on to her street and she is desperate to impress him

Notes:
Based on the novel by Hope Campbell

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Women In White

Synopsis:
stern but fair Superintendent of Nurses thinks of girls in her charge almost as daughters, until the murder of one of them

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
mystery comedy Mystery

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  11            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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You, The Jury

Synopsis:
Barbara Scott is on trial for murdering Chester Brant. The audience decides whether she is guilty or not

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY, 1958   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Courtroom Drama Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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