Albert Herman Woods (January 3, 1870 – April 24, 1951), born Aladár Herman, was an American theatrical producer who sometimes worked with Sam H. Harris.[1]
Born in Hungary, Woods emigrated to the United States where he produced over one hundred of the most successful shows on Broadway during the 1910s and 1920s, sometimes under the name of the production company Al Woods Ltd. or A. H. Woods. Woods also built the Eltinge Theatre, named for one of his most successful and profitable stars, Julian Eltinge.
Woods initially made his success with unpretentious melodramas, like "Nellie the Beautiful Cloak Model" and "Bowery After Dark", that appealed to common people. His modus operandi was to come up with a catchy title and an eye-catching poster, then have a writer pen the play to fit. Woods had a stable of favorite playwrights, including Theodore Kremer, Owen Davis and Hal Reid. At this time Woods earned the sobriquet 'King of Melodramania'.[2]