The Blue Flame is a four-act play written by George V. Hobart and John Willard, who revised an earlier version by Leta Vance Nicholson. In 1920, producer Albert H. Woods staged the play on Broadway and on tour across the United States. Ruth Gordon, the main character, is a religious young woman who dies and is revived by her scientist fiancé as a soulless femme fatale. She seduces several men and involves them in crimes, including drug use and murder. In the final act, her death and resurrection are revealed to be a dream. The production starred Theda Bara (pictured), a popular silent film actress who was known for playing similar roles in movies. Critics panned the play, ridiculing the plot, the dialog, and Bara's acting. Theater historian Ward Morehouse called it "one of the worst plays ever written". Bara's movie fame drew large crowds to theaters, and the play was a commercial success, breaking attendance records at some venues. Ruth Gordon was Bara's only Broadway role, and The Blue Flame was one of her last professional acting projects.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Flame_(play)

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1170:

Combined English and Irish forces seized Dublin, forcing Ascall mac Ragnaill, King of Dublin, into exile. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascall_mac_Ragnaill

1897:

In response to a letter written by eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon, The New York Sun published an editorial by Francis Pharcellus Church stating, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes,_Virginia,_there_is_a_Santa_Claus

1937:

J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy children's novel The Hobbit, which later served as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings, was first published. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hobbit

1993:

Nirvana released their third and final studio album, In Utero, which went on to sell 15 million copies. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Utero_(album)

2001:

With racial tensions high after the September 11 attacks, a gang of British Muslim youths in Peterborough, England, murdered 17 -year-old Ross Parker. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Ross_Parker

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

olive branch: 1. A branch of an olive tree offered as an emblem of peace. 2. (figuratively) Any symbol of peace, or a peace offering to an adversary to show goodwill and in the hope of securing peace. […] https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/olive_branch

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Maybe… there aren't any such things as good friends or bad friends — maybe there are just friends, people who stand by you when you're hurt and who help you feel not so lonely. Maybe they're always worth being scared for, and hoping for, and living for. Maybe worth dying for, too, if that's what has to be. No good friends. No bad friends. Only people you want, need to be with; people who build their houses in your heart.   --Stephen King https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Stephen_King