Books with title The Ransom of Red Chief

This is a loose stage adaptation of O. Henry's wonderful short story by the same name. Both the new script and the original short story (which is now in the public domain) are included in this book. Considerable liberty was taken to make the story suitable for the stage, as well as to address the rather dated and harsh views in the original story concerning family and community. Changes are outlined in the book's Introduction.This adaptation is part of the Small-Time Press "Adhockery Dramas" series, and was created especially with high-school and college groups in mind. Permissions include the right for non-profit groups and organizations to produce the play without payment of royalties.

***Illustrations***Author Biography***Summary***The Gift of The Magi*** : "The Gift of the Magi" is a short story by O. Henry first published in 1905. The story tells of a young husband and wife and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money. As a sentimental story with a moral lesson about gift-giving, it has been popular for adaptation, especially for presentation at Christmas time. The plot and its twist ending are well-known, and the ending is generally considered an example of comic irony. It was allegedly written at Pete's Tavern on Irving Place in New York City.***The Ransom of The Red Chief *** : "The Ransom of Red Chief" is a 1910 short story by O. Henry first published in The Saturday Evening Post. It follows two men who kidnap and attempt to ransom a wealthy Alabamian's son; eventually, the men are driven crazy by the boy's spoiled and hyperactive behavior, and pay the boy's father to take him back.The story and its main idea have become a part of popular culture, with many children's television programs using a version of the story as one of their episodes. The tale is a light-hearted example of the ultimate in "poetic justice" and fortuitous intervention for the public good: the crooks had intended to use the ransom money to fund an even larger and much more elaborate scam that would likely have caused widespread monetary damage to the local populace, and so having their plans "foiled in their infancy" by Red Chief's shrewd father saves countless other honest folks from financial ruin. It has also been often used as a classic example of two ultimate comic ironies – a supposed "hostage" actually liking his abductors and enjoying being captured, and his captors getting their just deserts by having the tables turned on them, and being compelled to pay to be rid of him.

***Illustrations***Author Biography***Summary***The Gift of The Magi*** : "The Gift of the Magi" is a short story by O. Henry first published in 1905. The story tells of a young husband and wife and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money. As a sentimental story with a moral lesson about gift-giving, it has been popular for adaptation, especially for presentation at Christmas time. The plot and its twist ending are well-known, and the ending is generally considered an example of comic irony. It was allegedly written at Pete's Tavern on Irving Place in New York City.***The Ransom of The Red Chief *** : "The Ransom of Red Chief" is a 1910 short story by O. Henry first published in The Saturday Evening Post. It follows two men who kidnap and attempt to ransom a wealthy Alabamian's son; eventually, the men are driven crazy by the boy's spoiled and hyperactive behavior, and pay the boy's father to take him back.The story and its main idea have become a part of popular culture, with many children's television programs using a version of the story as one of their episodes. The tale is a light-hearted example of the ultimate in "poetic justice" and fortuitous intervention for the public good: the crooks had intended to use the ransom money to fund an even larger and much more elaborate scam that would likely have caused widespread monetary damage to the local populace, and so having their plans "foiled in their infancy" by Red Chief's shrewd father saves countless other honest folks from financial ruin. It has also been often used as a classic example of two ultimate comic ironies – a supposed "hostage" actually liking his abductors and enjoying being captured, and his captors getting their just deserts by having the tables turned on them, and being compelled to pay to be rid of him.

Play script by Brian Kral. A fresh adaptation of the hilarious O'Henry classic, set in the turn-of-the-century West. Flexible set (space only; the interior of a cave.) Cast of 2 men, 1 boy. Ideal vehicle for touring.This winning story captures all the charm and exaggerated comedy of O'Henry's classic about two bungling kidnappers who fall prey to their young "victim." Armed with the latest inventions of a rapidly-changing America, they attempt to make their fortunes by holding for ransom "a two-legged sky-rocket named Johnny Dorset" -- who insists he's an Indian chief! The outcome is a side-splitting combination of historical fact and entertaining fancy, and has been accorded ovations by every audience who saw the original production by the Rainbow Company of Las Vegas. Since it is pure O'Henry, HIS applause is presumed guaranteed.

A Full-Length Play based on O'Henry's humorous classic about Bill and Sam who make the mistake of kidnapping a brat known as Red. Brought up by a skinflint uncle and mean housekeeper, Red gladly leaves with the two strangers. The kidnappers are delighted but it is their last moment of peace. Red or Red Chief, as he prefers to be called now has two full-time playmates and keeps them hopping. While Bill sets about collecting the ransom, Sam tries to entertain Red Chief. It's tiring work and, finally, Sam's patience exhausted, he makes the mistake of getting Red mad. Red Chief's vengeance soon has Sam calling for help. Never were two hapless criminals so bitterly taken advantage of. Instead of a handsome ransom, they're going to have to pay what little they have for the privilege of returning the so-called victim. (Cast: 5m., 9w)