The Petrified Forest (play)

The Petrified Forest is a 1935 American play written by Robert E. Sherwood. It is a drama set in a roadside diner in the Arizona desert, exploring themes of disillusionment, intellectual decay, and the search for meaning in a world seemingly devoid of hope.

The play centers around Alan Squier, a disillusioned intellectual and failed writer, who stumbles into the Black Mesa gas station and diner. He encounters Gabrielle Maple, a young woman dreaming of escaping the confines of her isolated life and traveling to France. Their lives are unexpectedly interrupted by Duke Mantee, a notorious gangster on the run from the law, and his gang, who take the diner's patrons hostage.

The play is notable for its sharp dialogue, its portrayal of contrasting worldviews, and its commentary on the social and economic conditions of the Great Depression era. The Petrified Forest became a critical and commercial success, solidifying Sherwood's reputation as a leading playwright.

The play was adapted into a film of the same name in 1936, starring Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, and Humphrey Bogart, catapulting Bogart to stardom in his breakout role as Duke Mantee. The film adaptation closely followed the play's storyline and dialogue, further popularizing the story and its themes. The Petrified Forest continues to be studied and performed, recognized as a significant work of American theatre.