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American journalist’s undying love for fellow writer John Reed makes for a epic early 20th century life journey from Greenwich Village, Provincetown, and across the Atlantic to the heart of the Russian Revolution. Diane Keaton plays her in Warren Beatty’s Reds.
Louise Bryant, born Anna Louise Mohan on December 5, 1885, in San Francisco, was a prominent journalist, feminist, and political activist. After her early years in Portland, Oregon, where she became involved in the women’s suffrage movement, she moved to Greenwich Village in New York City in January 1916. This move was significant as it placed her at the heart of a vibrant community of artists and radicals.
Bryant’s connection to Provincetown began when she joined the Provincetown Players, a groundbreaking theater group founded by George Cram Cook and Susan Glaspell. The group aimed to produce plays that were both politically relevant and artistically innovative. In the summer of 1916, many members of this group traveled from Greenwich Village to Provincetown, Massachusetts, where they staged various productions. During this time, Bryant wrote and produced her play “The Game,” which was performed alongside Eugene O’Neill’s “Bound East for Cardiff.” This collaboration marked an important moment in American theater history as it helped establish O’Neill’s reputation.
While in Provincetown, Bryant became romantically involved with playwright Eugene O’Neill. Their affair unfolded against the backdrop of the artistic community that thrived there during the summer months. This relationship added complexity to her life as she was still married to John Reed at that time. The love triangle between Bryant, Reed, and O’Neill became a notable aspect of their lives within this tight-knit community.
Bryant’s experiences in Provincetown not only influenced her personal life but also contributed significantly to her professional development as a writer and journalist. Her involvement with the Provincetown Players allowed her to engage with other influential figures of the time and solidified her place within the progressive movements of early 20th-century America.
