EXPRESSING WILLIE

   Rachel Crothers wrote this three-act comedy that opened on 16 April 1924 at the 48th Street Theatre and ran for 293 performances. The 35-year-old bachelor Willie has become insufferable with his ostentatious wealth, so his mother invites the mousy Minnie to the house along with an assortment of social parasites, in hopes that Willie will recognize sincerity. Minnie is at first humiliated, then redeems herself, then causes Willie new embarrassment, and finally—just when he becomes interested in her again—sees how shallow he is. Audiences loved the glamorous setting and fashions, witty dialogue, humorous character types, and the women characters who knew best.