Career
In other work for films, Roberts wrote the screenplay for The Stripper (1963), starring Joanne Woodward, by adapting William Inge"s play A Loss of Roses and wrote the screenplay for the movie In the Cool of the Day (1963), starring Peter Finch and Jane Fonda, by adapting Susan Ertz"s novel of the same name. Roberts also was an actor in two John Cassavetes films, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) and Opening Night (1977). Roberts"s play A Palm Tree in a Rose Garden (1957) had an off-Broadway run in New York City from November 26, 1957 to January 19, 1958, with Barbara Baxley as Barbara Parris.
In 1960, Tomás Milián appeared at Spoleto"s Festival dei Due Mondi in Roberts"s one-act play Maidens and Mistresses at Home in the Zoo (1958), written specifically for him.
Meade Roberts wrote television scripts for such shows as Columbia Broadcasting System"s Suspense (1949–1955), National Broadcasting Company"s The Kate Smith Evening Hour (1951–1952), and Columbia Broadcasting System"s Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951–1959). He adapted Henry James"s novel The Wings of the Dove for Playhouse 90, which aired January 8, 1959, season 3, episode 14, with Dana Wynter as Kate Croy, James Donald as Merton Densher, and Inga Swenson as Milly Theale.
National Tax Association, USA Film Network"s Play of the Week aired a teleplay of Roberts"s play A Palm Tree in a Rose Garden on April 4, 1960, season 1, episode 26, with Glenda Farrell as Rose Frobisher, Barbara Barrie as Lila Frobisher, Robert Webber as Anton Jonas, and Barbara Baxley as Barbara Parris.