The College Widow play

The College Widow is a 1904 American comedic play by George Ade that was adapted into films and a musical. The term "college widow" refers to an attractive unmarried woman near a college campus who dates students over the years. The play revolves around Jane Witherspoon, daughter of Atwater College's president, who tries to prevent star football player Billy Bolton from transferring to rival Bingham College. The Broadway production opened in 1904 and ran for 278 performances before touring nationally. Henry Wilson Savage produced it, and George Marion directed it. Ade earned $2 million from the play. Notable performers included Dorothy Tennant as Jane Witherspoon and Ty Cobb, who starred in a 1911 tour.

The play was adapted into silent films in 1915 and 1927, sound films in 1930 (Maybe It's Love) and 1936 (Freshman Love), and a successful musical titled Leave It to Jane in 1917. The Marx Brothers' 1932 film Horse Feathers parodies the 1927 adaptation.