Play It Again, Sam

New York: Sabinson, 1969. Collection of 6 vintage black-and-white still photographs from the 1969 Broadway play, written by and starring Woody Allen, as well as Allen's first production with a young Diane Keaton. Each photo with a mimeograph snipe on the verso crediting photographer Leo Stern and the Sabinson Agency, along with a credits blurb.

"Play It Again, Sam" was the third play by Woody Allen to be staged on Broadway (following "From A to Z" in 1960 and "Don't Drink the Water" in 1966). It was also the first—and last—play in which he would star, choosing to permanently invest his persona in his own films. The play was notable too as the debut of Diane Keaton (featured in one of the photos here), who would reprise her role in the 1972 film version and go on to be Allen's most famous muse.

The play opened at the Broadhurst Theatre on February 12, 1969, and ran for a healthy 453 performances, closing on March 14, 1970. About a year later, Bananas directed by and starring Allen, would be released, featuring the screen debut of Woody Allen's "Allan Felix" persona developed for this play, one whose variations would grace innumerable films for decades to come.

8 x 10 inches. Fine.

[Book #131602]