Journey to Jerusalem
Encyclopedia
Journey to Jerusalem is a 1940 play by Maxwell Anderson
about a trip made to Jerusalem by the Holy Family
when Christ was twelve years old.
In the play, Anderson parallels ancient Biblical events with the rise of Adolf Hitler
, embodied in the play by Herod Antipas
. Jesus slowly realizes from a fictitious New Testament prophet what his destiny as the Messiah
will be. The play featured Arlene Francis
as the Virgin Mary (here called Miriam) and future screen director Sidney Lumet
in an early acting appearance at age 15 as Jesus (here called Jeshua). Karl Malden
also had an early role in the play, as a Centurion.
Although the play was acclaimed, it had an extremely brief run and was not a box-office success. It was, however, filmed by a NY based company THEATRE ON FILM Inc and released as a 90 minute 16mmm film in 1941 . This is probably the source of the film excerpts from the stage performance - labeled "a screen reproduction of the play" on a website.
Maxwell Anderson
James Maxwell Anderson was an American playwright, author, poet, journalist and lyricist.-Early years:Anderson was born in Atlantic, Pennsylvania, the second of eight children to William Lincoln "Link" Anderson, a Baptist minister, and Charlotte Perrimela Stephenson, both of Scots and Irish descent...
about a trip made to Jerusalem by the Holy Family
Holy Family
The Holy Family consists of the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph.The Feast of the Holy Family is a liturgical celebration in the Roman Catholic Church in honor of Jesus of Nazareth, his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his foster father, Saint Joseph, as a family...
when Christ was twelve years old.
In the play, Anderson parallels ancient Biblical events with the rise of Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
, embodied in the play by Herod Antipas
Herod Antipas
Herod Antipater , known by the nickname Antipas, was a 1st-century AD ruler of Galilee and Perea, who bore the title of tetrarch...
. Jesus slowly realizes from a fictitious New Testament prophet what his destiny as the Messiah
Messiah
A messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to...
will be. The play featured Arlene Francis
Arlene Francis
Arlene Francis was an American actress, radio talk show host, and game show panelist...
as the Virgin Mary (here called Miriam) and future screen director Sidney Lumet
Sidney Lumet
Sidney Lumet was an American director, producer and screenwriter with over 50 films to his credit. He was nominated for the Academy Award as Best Director for 12 Angry Men , Dog Day Afternoon , Network and The Verdict...
in an early acting appearance at age 15 as Jesus (here called Jeshua). Karl Malden
Karl Malden
Karl Malden was an American actor. In a career that spanned more than seven decades, he performed in such classic films as A Streetcar Named Desire, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, On the Waterfront and One-Eyed Jacks...
also had an early role in the play, as a Centurion.
Although the play was acclaimed, it had an extremely brief run and was not a box-office success. It was, however, filmed by a NY based company THEATRE ON FILM Inc and released as a 90 minute 16mmm film in 1941 . This is probably the source of the film excerpts from the stage performance - labeled "a screen reproduction of the play" on a website.