Overview
Produced on Broadway, this play by the author of Another Language and Claudia, caused critics to say: "She has spoken passionately and eloquently about the deep springs of human behavior and feeling," and "Here is a piece that reveals the first genuine writing to be found in any new play this season." George Jean Nathan called it, "The best play of the season."
The locale of the play is the near-to-New York home of Bert Harris, a wealthy Jewish man, a good provider, and devoted to his family and his wife Madeline. Bert is conservative, proud of his race. His searching, rebellious and unhappy wife is in love with a young violinist. His younger brother, though engaged to an attractive girl, is gay. Into this disturbed household comes Crystal Grainger, a glamorous and notorious woman. In the course of three acts the playwright shows the influence of this strange, wise and understanding woman upon the lives of these people. The play ends with Crystal's death from heart failure. She has opened Bert's eyes and she has made her plea for tolerance.