promoting the works of Paul and Jane Bowles in the written, musical and theatre forms and working with caring attitude towards helping people in need in Morocco visited by people who like Paul Bowles from more than 119 countries This website online since May 1st 2000 Copyright Notice All content on this page is the work of The International Paul Bowles Society and has previously been published in our printed publications ©The International Paul Bowles Society, November 2002 Blue Mountain Buddies: Tennessee Williams and Paul Bowles Paul Bowles and Thomas Lanier 'Tennessee' Williams knew each other for a long time. Paul Bowles was born in 1910, one year before Tennessee, who was born in 1911. Whereas Bowles had a distinctive New England upbringing, Williams was very much of the American south. The two men met while Paul and Jane were living in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1940. They met up again later on in New York and worked together on many musical and theatrical productions, along with their mutual friend, Jordan Massee, (who was Carson McCullers' cousin, and Massee's father provided the model for the character of 'Big Daddy' in Williams' play 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof') some of which plays are illustrated below. Tennessee was a very good platonic friend of Jane Bowles after he moved to Tangier in 1962, and Jane was a constant source of friendship to him, especially after the break up of his relationship with, and subsequent death of, Frank Merlo, his long time companion of fifteen years from 1947 to 1962, and who later died in 1963. Tennessee continued to correspond with Jane Bowles after he returned to the USA, and was able to write to her of happier times, in the late '60's (left) There are several letters that attest to their wonderful friendship together. Tennessee Williams died in 1983, after enjoying a long and successful career as one of America's best known and best loved playwrights. Some of the works of Tennessee Williams and Paul Bowles together: 1944 - 'The Glass Menagerie' (Tennessee Williams 1911-1983) In the weeks leading up to opening night (December 26, 1944), Williams had deep doubts about the production and the theatre did not expect the play to last more than a few nights. Two paper critics loved the show, and went nearly every night. They gave the play very good reviews. By the middle of January tickets to the show were some of the most sought-after in Chicago. Music by Paul Bowles. The 'Blue Mountain Ballads' In 1946, the music of the 'Blue Mountain Ballads' was published. Bowles composed the music for the lyrics by Williams. The four songs are, 'Heavenly Grass', 'Lonesome Man', 'Cabin' and 'Sugar in the Cane'. The best recorded version that exists of 'Blue Mountain Ballads' is of that sung by William Sharp. These are superbly sung and recorded. 1948 - 'Summer and Smoke' (Tennessee Williams) 'Summer and Smoke' was first produced in New York City on October 6, 1948, with scenery and lighting by Jo Mieliziner. Margaret Johnston and William Sylvester in the roles of the lovers Alma and John. Original Music and Scoring by Paul Bowles. Right: Bowles and Williams on the set of 'Summer and Smoke', 1948. Music by Paul Bowles. 1959 - 'Sweet Bird of Youth' (Tennessee Williams) Three act play. A raddled monster of a has-been actress from Hollywood, seeking to forget her present in drugs & sex, & her handsome masseur- gigolo, who has brought her to his hometown in America's South believing that through her money & faded glamor his illusions may yet come true. With Geraldine Page, Sidney Blackmer, Rip Torn, John Karlen, Logan Ramsey, Martine Bartlett, Elizabeth Farley, Kip McArdle, Duke Farley, Don Weagle, Earl Snydor, Hack Rightor, Francesca Trantum, Milton J. Williams, Norman Burton, Patricia Sales, Glenn Stensel, Kenneth Blake, Ron Harper, Anne Ramsey, Robin Narke. Music by Paul Bowles. 1962 - 'The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore' (Tennessee Williams) Morosco Theatre, New York, 1963 A Play in two Acts. Music by Paul Bowles. The performers were: Mildred Dunnock, Paul Roebling, Ann Williams, Clyde Ventura and Maria Tucci. Setting: Divina Costiera, in Italy. Time: Summer, The Present. 'I am trying once more to make a tragedy in which the protagonist is not a human being but a universal condition of human beings: the apparently incomprehensible but surely significant adventure of being alive that we must all pass through for a time' Tennessee Williams, 1962. Music by Paul Bowles. Some Tennessee Williams Productions: 'Battle of Angels' (1940) (made into a film 'The Fugitive Kind' in 1960) 'The Glass Menagerie' (1944) (made into a film 1950) 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. Won Pulitzer Prize in 1947 (made into a film, 1951) 'Summer and Smoke' (1948) 'The Rose Tattoo' (1950) (made into a film 1955) 'Camino Real' (1953) 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' (1955) Second Pulitzer Prize (made into a film 1958) 'Orpheus Descending' (1957) revised version of 'Battle of Angels' 'Suddenly Last Summer' (1958) (made into a film 1960, starring Liz Taylor) 'Sweet Bird of Youth' (1959) made into a film 1961 'Night of the Iguana' (1961) (made into a film 1964) 'The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore' (1962) Home Promoting the life and work of Paul and Jane Bowles ©The International Paul Bowles Society, 2000