Peter Pan is one of the most iconic children's book characters in modern history. The story of the boy who will not grow up has become a central fixture of children's literature, and the story's influence has extended into theater, film, and television, leading to numerous adaptations.
Peter Pan was originally a play. Barrie was inspired to turn it into a novel after its success, and throughout the 20th century, various adaptations were produced. Perhaps the most famous stage adaptation of the musical premiered in 1954 on Broadway, with music by Mark "Moose" Charlap and Jule Styne, with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green. Mary Martin starred as Peter, and it was turned into a television adaptation in 1955, 1956, and 1960. In 1978, it was revived with Sandy Duncan in the lead, and in 1990 with Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby. A 2014 television broadcast starred Allison Williams in the title role.
Additionally, there have been a number of film adaptations of the classic story. In 1953, the year before the stage musical, Disney released an animated version. In 1976, a made-for-television version starred Mia Farrow and Danny Kaye. Hook, starring Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, and Dustin Hoffman, imagined a middle-aged, working-stiff version of Peter returning to Never Land and getting his magical abilities back. In 2003, Universal Pictures released a film which Ryan Vlastelica of The AV Club called "the best Peter Pan film."
