"The Palik Series of Jules Verne, Published in conjunction with the North American Jules Verne Society, Edited by Brian Taves" Long before Verne stories had formed the basis for such movies as Around the World in 80 Days, many of his plays were theatrical blockbusters on the 19th century stage. Expert scholarly research introduces four of Verne's plays written in his youth, translated by Frank Morlock. Verne's themes range from romantic comedies to a scientist's discovery that there may not be such a difference between human and ape after all