INA CLAIRE | THE AWFUL TRUTH (1922) Oversized Broadway photo

Vintage original 11 x 14″ (28 x 35 cm) sepia-tinted glossy silver gelatin print still photo, USA. Ina Claire, Paul Harvey, Bruce McRae, Cora Witherspoon, Charles Frohman production, Henry Miller’s Theatre. On verso in pencil is “Bruce McRae, Ina Claire, The Awful Truth” with White Studios ink stamp. One small tear at right edge border near bottom, bottom right corner creased, top and bottom left corners chipped. Overall very good-fine.

Arthur Richman‘s play would serve as the basis for the classic 1937 Leo McCarey screwball comedy with Irene Dunne and Cary Grant. It was about a soon-to-be divorced couple who go to all lengths to ruin the other’s new romances.

In 1922, Ina Claire was a darling of Broadway. She is best remembered for her role as the Grand Duchess opposite Greta Garbo in Ninotchka. This play ran for 144 performances between Sep. 1922 and Jan. 1923.