The Plastic Age
The Plastic Age (1924) is a novel by Percy Marks, which tells the story of Hugh Carver, a student at a fictional men's college called Sanford. With contents that covered or implied hazing, partying, and "petting", the book sold well enough to be the second best-selling novel of 1924. The book was, however, banned in Boston.[1] The following year, it was adapted into a film of the same name, starring Clara Bow.
Marks was an English instructor at Brown University at the time of publication. Brown's administration took offense at the book, which they perceived to be a barely disguised version of Brown, and Marks's teaching contract was not renewed.[2] Nonetheless, Marks and his book were popular on campus. Students—including humorist S. J. Perelman—protested his release and a satire of the book, titled, "The Plastered Age," by E.Z. Mark, was produced on campus; but to no avail.[2] Marks left academia for many years and devoted his time to writing books.
In 1928, under the title Red Lips, the novel was again adapted into a film. This remake starred Charles "Buddy" Rogers, who had just co-starred with Clara Bow in a different film, Wings, the previous year.
The Plastic Age was last reprinted in 1980, in a series subtitled "Lost American Fiction," from Southern Illinois University Press.
References
- ↑ Noble, William (1990). Bookbanning in America : who bans books?--and why?. Middlebury, Vt.: P.S. Eriksson. p. 84. ISBN 0839710801.
- 1 2 Rubinton, Noel (September–October 2016). "Goldie's World". Brown Alumni Magazine. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
External links
- The Plastic Age full text at Project Gutenberg