Once in a Lifetime: Analysis of Major Characters
"Once in a Lifetime" explores the dynamics of ambition and transformation within the context of the burgeoning Hollywood film industry. The narrative centers around Jerry Hyland, a small-time vaudeville actor who becomes convinced that the advent of sound in films will revolutionize entertainment. He persuades his partners, May Daniels and George Lewis, to leave their vaudeville act behind and pursue opportunities in Hollywood. May, characterized by her intelligence and pragmatism, aims to establish an elocution school to help silent film actors transition to talkies, while grappling with her feelings for Jerry. George, the naïve straight man of the trio, unexpectedly finds success in Hollywood through his innocent approach, elevating his status from a sidekick to a production supervisor. The play also features a range of characters, including Herman Glogauer, the studio head, who embodies the archetype of a Hollywood mogul, and Susan Walker, an aspiring actress whose journey reflects the unpredictable nature of fame. Overall, the character interactions encapsulate themes of ambition, disillusionment, and the pursuit of success in a rapidly changing industry.
Once in a Lifetime: Analysis of Major Characters
Authors: Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman
First published: 1930
Genre: Play
Locale: New York City and Hollywood
Plot: Comedy
Time: 1927
Jerry Hyland, the leader of a small-time, three-person vaudeville act who becomes an executive at Glogauer Studios in Hollywood. A likable second-rate actor in his early thirties, he has a penchant for concocting moneymaking schemes to get the trio out of vaudeville. After seeing The Jazz Singer, the first motion picture with sound, Jerry is convinced that talkies will revolutionize the film industry. He sells the act and persuades his partners to go to Hollywood to become part of that revolution. When it seems that he has “gone Hollywood,” Jerry redeems himself by leaving California to go after May.
May Daniels, a member of the vaudeville act who becomes an elocution teacher at Glogauer Studios. Tall, slender, and attractive, May has a quick, sharp mind with a tongue to match. She is the voice of reason, although a slightly cynical one, throughout the play. May dreams up a gimmick for the act to market in Hollywood: an elocution school to prepare silent-film actors for the talkies. Although she is in love with Jerry, she returns to New York when it seems that he has adopted the film industry's superficial values.
George Lewis, the vaudeville act's straight man, who becomes the supervisor of productions at Glogauer Studios. About twenty-eight years old, George is clean-cut, naïve, and rather dim. George follows Jerry and May's lead, which includes acting as the elocution school's technical adviser, “Dr. Lewis.” He comes into his own when he meets and falls in love with an aspiring actress. The head of Glogauer Studios is so impressed by George's guileless candor that he promptly makes George supervisor of all productions. George's blunders work to his benefit, and “Dr. Lewis” becomes Hollywood's new genius.
Susan Walker, a young woman who goes to California to be a film star. The female counterpart of George, she falls in love with him when they meet on the train to Hollywood. George's intervention with the studio head gets her the lead in Gingham and Orchids, a dreadful film in which she gives a wretched performance. Critics, however, love the film and her star turn in it.
Herman Glogauer, the head of Glogauer Studios. A caricature of a Hollywood mogul, Glogauer foolishly passed up the opportunity to make the first talkie, so he is now open to new ideas, including an elocution school at his studio. In a comic confrontation, George becomes the first person to remind Glogauer of his error in judgment concerning talkies. Glogauer mistakes George's ignorance for insight and assumes that George cloaks his brilliant perception in seemingly simple statements and careless actions.
Helen Hobart, America's foremost film critic and columnist. She is immensely impressed with herself and her accomplishments. Helen was once in a vaudeville troupe with May, and the trio takes advantage of this tenuous connection to break into the motion picture industry.
Lawrence Vail, a New York playwright hired by Glogauer Studios, one of a shipment of sixteen playwrights. Vail's numerous efforts to meet Glogauer and get an assignment are fruitless. After six months of sitting in his office and collecting his paychecks without speaking to anyone except the payroll clerk, he returns to New York.
Rudolph Kammerling, a temperamental German film director. Brought to America by Glogauer, he directs the sappy Gingham and Orchids under George's inept supervision.
Miss Leighton, Glogauer Studios' reception secretary. Decked out in glamorous gowns, she deals with the swarms of people who converge on the reception area.
Mr. Meterstein and Mr. Weisskopf, Glogauer's flunkies.