The Valiant

The Valiant is a one-act play from the 1920s by Holworthy Hall and Robert Middlemass. It became a popular play for local theater groups, and is still performed today. The play was copyrighted in 1920 and first appeared in McClure's magazine in 1921. It first appeared on the stage about 1924, and first appeared on Broadway (for one night) in 1926. Running with success in vaudeville (with Bert Lytell), it was made into a film of the same name in 1929 starring Paul Muni, and as The Man Who Wouldn't Talk in 1940. The play became a favorite for amateur and local theater groups. Characters Referred to on the script (their name in the play) Father Daly (Father Daly) - a priest/minister who visits the condemned to get them to repent so they can enter heaven. The Warden (Holt) - watches and takes care of the prisoners and escorts them to the execution room. James Dyke (real name unconfirmed) - a mysterious condemned man who has no documented past and refuses to divulge it. The Girl (Josephine Paris) - sister of a long lost brother who journeys to Connecticut to find out if Dyke is her brother. The Jailer (Dan) - takes care of the scaffolds, keeps it in good order, and prepares the condemned for execution. The Attendant (Wilson) - files, types and well is a secretary...