 An English translation of Liliom was credited to Benjamin " Barney " Glazer , though there is a story that the actual translator , uncredited , was Rodgers ' first major partner Lorenz Hart . The Theatre Guild presented it in New York City in 1921 , with Joseph Schildkraut as Liliom , and the play was a success , running 300 performances . A 1940 revival , with Burgess Meredith and Ingrid Bergman was seen by both Hammerstein and Rodgers . Glazer , in introducing the English translation of Liliom , wrote of the play 's appeal : 
