Mr. Barnes of New York is a novel published in 1887 by American author Archibald Clavering Gunter, quite popular in its day, which was also adapted into a play in 1888, and later two silent film versions.
Novel Although he already had success as a playwright, Gunter was unable to find a publisher for his first novel, which he had completed in 1885. He "submitted it to nearly every publisher in New York, and again and again it came back to him." He then tried a Boston publisher and more publishers in New York, and met another round of rejections. After shelving the manuscript for a time, he read a current popular novel, and decided that although his book "might be rubbish, it was surely as good as this book that seemed to have taken the fancy of the public." Gunter proceeded to publish the book himself, starting with 1,000 copies that bookstores would only take on consignment.
Within a few weeks, sales grew brisk and the book became quite popular.(13 May 1888). Hope for the Unrecognized, Newark Sunday Call (relating the story of Gunter's difficulty in getting the book published)(1 May 1887). New Books (short review), The New York TimesSomerville, Siobhan B. Queering the Color Line: Race and the Invention of Homosexuality in American Culture, p. 192-3 (2000) Scholar James D. Hart has written that although the book may not have sold a million copies as has been claimed, it and many of Gunter's successive novels were indeed popular.Hart, James David. The Popular Book: A History of America's Literary Taste, p. 188-89, 309 (1950) (on list of "books most widely read in America", one of six entries for 1887) In 1910, a profile of this "best seller of yesterday" described "its success as instantaneous as it was astonishing. Everywhere−in railway trains and in the deck chairs of ocean liners−the paper covered yellow volume was to be seen." It also said "contemporary criticism was outspoken in its praise" of the book.Maurice, Arthur Bartlett, Best Sellers of Yesterday, The Bookman (New York) (September 1910), p. 55-63
The plot revolves around the European travels and adventures of Burton H. Barnes, including a romance "with an English belle" and "involvement in a Corsican vendetta concerning his future brother-in-law."
In 1889, Gunter published the similarly named book (though not a sequel), Mr. Potter of Texas, which was also a best-seller. A sequel, entitled Mr. Barnes, American was published in 1907.Sequels, p. 95 (1967)
Dramatic adaptation
The first stage adaptation of the novel was written by Rutland Barrington, perhaps best remembered as creator of lead roles in many of the Gilbert & Sullivan operas, including Pooh-Bah in The Mikado. It opened at the Royal Olympic Theatre in London on 16 May 1888 and closed on 23 June having played around 34 performances. Produced and directed by Barrington with Yorke Stephens, who played the title role, the piece also featured Amy McNeill as Marita (sic) Paoli.Theatre programme for opening night, Royal Olympic Theatre, 16 May 1888."The Times" (London) Olympic Theatre advert 23 June 1888 p.16
The book was adapted into a play and debuted at the Broadway Theatre in New York on October 15, 1888. The cast included John H. Gilmour as Mr. Barnes and Emily Rigl as Marina Paoli.(25 December 1897). Questions Answered, New York Dramatic Mirror The review of the play in the New York Times was quite negative:(16 October 1888). Broadway Theatre, The New York Times
The Times noted that the "audience was suspiciously ecstatic in its enthusiasm." And the review in Life said: "The play does not imperil Shakespeare's laurels, but it is thoroughly interesting and amusing."(1 November 1888). Drama: Mr. Barnes, Life (magazine), p. 262 The play ran for seven weeks at the Broadway Theatre, closing on December 1,(1 December 1888). Broadway Theatre ad, The Sun (New York) (advertisement shows Mr. Barnes playing on Saturday December 1, with a new show, Little Lord Fauntleroy, starting on Monday December 3, 1888) and saw performances far and wide over following years.(20 May 1890). The Opera House: Mr. Barnes of New York, Auckland Star(7 May 1897). Mr. Barnes of New York: The Romantic Drama Very Acceptable Given at the Opera House, Evening Tribune (Pawtucket, Rhode Island)
Films
The work was adapted to silent film twice, in 1914 and 1922. The 1914 version by Vitagraph Studios starred Maurice Costello as Mr. Barnes and Mary Charleson as Marina.(2 May 1914). Mr. Barnes of New York: This Latest Vitagraph Six-Part Feature is a Fine Production - every player scores, The Moving Picture World, p. 651 The 1922 version featured Tom Moore, Anna Lehr, and Naomi Childers, and was directed by Victor Schertzinger.
References
External links Mr. Barnes of New York full scan via archive.org
(1914 version) (1922 version)