Twelve Angry Men By: Reginald Rose
Reginald Rose Born Dec. 10, 1920; New York City Attended City College (N.Y.) 1937-1938; did not graduate U.S. Army- 1942-1946; 1st Lt. 1943, married; has 4 children; 2nd marriage, 1963; 2 more children First job: Warner Bros.- copy writer
More Reginald Rose Wrote short stories, novels; no luck selling until writing plays for tv CBS bought first script- The Bus to Nowhere, aired 1951 1954- writes Twelve Angry Men: most famous work Cont. writing t.v. scripts, plays, screenplays
Still More Reginald Rose Nominated 6 times; Won 3 Emmy Awards, including for Twelve Angry Men Co-produced award winning movie version: Yes, we will watch it!! Died April 19, 2002; Norwalk, CT
The Play- Setting & Time Period Inspired by Rose’s experience on jury duty; manslaughter trial, bitter arguing The jury room of a New York Court of Law Summer, 1957 One very hot afternoon
Plot Summary 12 jurors locked in jury room Must unanimously reach verdict in murder trial During process: much anger, hatred, possible violence between jurors After heated discussion, reach verdict Verdict is ???????????????
Themes Triumph and fragility of justice Overcoming class and race prejudice Democracy and social responsibility Courage- individual vs. group