The Curious Savage

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The Curious Savage
Playbill Cover featuring Lillian Gish from the 1950 premiere at the Martin Beck Theatre.
Written by	John Patrick
Characters	Ethel P. Savage Titus Lily Belle Samuel Dr. Emmett Miss Willie Florence Williams Fairy Hannibal Jeffrey Mrs. Paddy
Date premiered	October 24, 1950 (1950-10-24)
Place premiered	Martin Beck Theatre New York, NY
Original language	English
Genre	Comedy
Setting	Living room of "The Cloisters," a sanatorium

The Curious Savage, written by John Patrick, is a comedic play about Ethel P. Savage, an elderly woman whose husband recently died and left her approximately ten million dollars. Contrasting the kindness and loyalty of psychiatric patients with the avarice and vanity of "respectable" public figures, it calls into question conventional definitions of sanity while lampooning celebrity culture. The play was first produced in New York by the Theatre Guild and Lewis & Young at the Martin Beck Theatre and opened October 24, 1950, with Lillian Gish in the role of Ethel. Peter Glenville directed the production.