Bibliography
Falk, Signi. Tennessee Williams. 2d ed. Boston: Twayne, 1978. An introduction to both the fiction and drama. Places Williams in the Southern tradition and examines his early exploratory work. Provides a good general overview with a focus on recurring character types. Includes a chronology of publication and production of works and a useful critical bibliography.
Hayman, Ronald. Tennessee Williams: Everyone Else Is an Audience. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1993. Biographical study that examines how Williams used events from his life and characters he knew, including himself, as source material for his drama.
Miller, Jordan Y., ed. Twentieth Century Interpretations of “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1971. Excellent collection of twenty essays and reviews divided into two sections that treat the play as commercial theater and as dramatic literature. Provides views from a variety of critics and includes a notebook of the director of the original production.
Thompson, Judith J. Tennessee Williams’ Plays: Memory, Myth, and Symbol. New York: Peter Lang, 1987. Examines eight plays in considerable detail, including A Streetcar Named Desire, in terms of recurring archetypal characters and patterns of action. Interesting analysis of tragic, romantic, and comic images.
Weales, Gerald. American Drama Since World War II. New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, 1962. Places Williams’ work in the context of his time and questions the world and the values that Williams depicts as those of his characters, which often represent marginalized “fugitive types.”
Media Adaptations
Last Updated August 7, 2024.
Alongside its Broadway success, A Streetcar Named Desire was adapted into a film by Warner Bros and released in 1951. Many of the original cast members were retained, including Marlon Brando as Stanley. However, Jessica Tandy, who originally portrayed Blanche, was replaced by Vivien Leigh. Directed by Elia Kazan, the film garnered numerous Academy Award nominations and won four, including Best Actress for Leigh and Best Supporting Actress for Kim Hunter (Stella).
In 1984, a made-for-television adaptation featured Ann-Margret as Blanche. This version reinstated some material that censors had objected to in the 1950s. Nevertheless, critics felt it lacked the spark and chemistry of the earlier adaptation.
A 1995 unrated television adaptation recreated the 1992 stage version starring Jessica Lange and Alec Baldwin. This version remained truer to the original stage production's dialogue and actions than the censored 1951 film.
Two sound recordings of the play are available: HarperCollins released a 1991 version starring Rosemary Harris and James Farentino, recorded in 1973 at the Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center. Caedmon published another version in 1985 from the same production.
The play was also adapted by the Dance Theatre of Harlem, featuring Virginia Johnson as Blanche.
Bibliography and Further Reading
Last Updated August 7, 2024.
Arthur, Stanley Clisby, Old New Orleans, Gretna, La.: Pelican,
1990.
A historical examination of New Orleans that offers context for the setting of
Streetcar.
Bloom, Harold, ed., Tennessee Williams, New York, Chelsea House,
1987.
A compilation of critical essays that place Williams' work alongside other
contemporary writers, highlighting psychological similarities with Hart Crane
and Arthur Rimbaud.
Falki, Signi, Tennessee Williams, New York: Twayne, 1961.
A perceptive analysis of Williams' life and works, categorizing his plays into
thematic groups and emphasizing recurring character archetypes.
Hayman, Ronald, Tennessee Williams' Everyone Else is an Audience, New
York: Yale University Press, 1993.
A biography featuring numerous quotes from Williams and insights from his
friends.
McCann, John S., The Critical Reputation of Tennessee Williams,
Boston: G.K Hall, 1983.
Tracks Williams' reception among key critics and writers of the 20th
century.
Spoto, Donald, The Kindness of Strangers: The Life of Tennessee
Williams, Boston: Little, Brown, 1985.
A literary biography starting with Williams' parents and covering his life,
theatrical experiences, involvement in Florida's homosexual and drug culture,
and his death. Includes bibliographical sources for further research.
Stanton, Stephen, ed., Tennessee Williams: A Collection of Critical
Essays, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1977.
A diverse discussion on the major themes in Williams' works.
Tharpe, Jac, ed., Tennessee Williams: A Tribute, Jackson, Miss.:
University Press of Mississippi, 1977.
Contains essays by individuals who knew and collaborated with Williams,
offering a unique critical perspective on his work.
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