The Easiest Way

Easiest Way, The (1909), a play by Eugene Walter. [Belasco‐Stuyvesant Theatre, 157 perf.] Laura Murdock (Frances Starr) is a mediocre actress who has been unable to make a living by acting, so has allowed herself to be kept in style by Willard Brockton (Joseph Kilgour). While appearing in Denver, however, she meets and falls in love with a young newspaper man, John Madison (Edward H. Robins). John's romantic view of women clashes with both Brockton's cynical one and Laura's situation. When Brockton learns of Laura's feelings, he makes her write to John and test him by revealing the truth. Laura reluctantly writes the letter, but after Brockton leaves, she burns it. Eventually, John earns a small fortune and prepares to marry Laura, until he learns of her past life and deserts her. Laura is left to take “the easiest way” out by remaining a kept woman. She tells her maid to get her best dress ready. “I'm going to Rector's to make a hit,” she announces, “and to hell with the rest.” Burns Mantle appraised the play as “the first bold denial of the happy ending in modern [American] drama, the first deliberate attempt to prove that a play could be emotionally appealing because of its essential truth and the validity of its performance.” Certainly the ending, its famous curtain line, and Starr's performance were the talk of the season. Producer David Belasco is reported originally to have wanted to rewrite the ending, allowing John and Laura to wed, but Walter obstinately refused. He felt that other contemporary plays, such as Leah Kleschna, had been irreparably damaged artistically by contrived happy endings.