Joseph Fields

Joseph Fields (1895–1966) was a prominent American playwright, screenwriter, and theatrical producer best known for co-writing several hit Broadway comedies and musicals during the mid-20th century. With a flair for witty dialogue and polished storytelling, Fields helped shape the golden age of American theatre, particularly through his collaborations on enduring works such as Wonderful Town, Flower Drum Song, and The Desk Set.

Born on February 21, 1895, in New York City, Fields was the son of vaudeville comedian Lew Fields, one-half of the famous Weber and Fields duo. Immersed in show business from an early age, Joseph initially pursued acting and screenwriting in Hollywood before turning to playwriting. His early screenwriting credits included scripts for films in the 1930s and early ’40s, but it was on Broadway that he made his most lasting impact.

Fields gained his first major theatrical success with the 1940 play My Sister Eileen, co-written with Jerome Chodorov. Based on Ruth McKenney’s popular short stories, the comedy about two sisters navigating life in New York was a hit and later adapted into a musical (Wonderful Town) with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Wonderful Town premiered in 1953 and won the Tony Award for Best Musical, cementing Fields’ reputation as a major theatrical talent.

Throughout his career, Fields frequently collaborated with Chodorov on both plays and musicals. Their successful partnerships included the screenplay for The Tunnel of Love and the book for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song (1958), one of the first Broadway musicals to feature a primarily Asian-American cast and a groundbreaking work for its time. Fields also co-wrote The Desk Set (1955), a romantic workplace comedy that was later adapted into a film starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

Joseph Fields passed away on March 3, 1966. He left behind a legacy of well-crafted comedies and musicals that remain staples in American theatre. Known for his intelligent humor, structural skill, and collaborative spirit, Fields helped bring mid-century Broadway to vibrant life and contributed significantly to its most beloved productions.