PCS Blog
The Richard Rodgers Connection
Posted by Kinsley Suer | 18 October 2011 | Comments (0)
I recently had an interesting conversation with my grandfather, Herb, about our current production of Oklahoma!. Once upon a time, my grandfather was a teenager living in Philadelphia. In the 1940s, musicals often toured to several cities to get the kinks out before opening on Broadway (similar to Portland Center Stage’s preview performances before each opening). He was 17 when he saw the original production of Oklahoma! as it passed through Philadelphia, on its way to what would become a historic run on Broadway. According to my grandfather, he went to see it with his current sweetheart, who was, at that time, “the love of his life.” He also distinctly remembers the very popular song at the time, “People Will Say We’re in Love.” Interestingly, when I mentioned how surprisingly dark I found the story to be, he explained that he had never viewed it as dark – just that there were “good guys” and “bad guys.”
The conversation then turned toward my great-great-uncle, Tom Drake. A screen actor from the 1940-1970s, Tom is perhaps best known for starring opposite Judy Garland in Meet Me in St. Louis. He played John Truett – also known as “the boy next door,” and Judy’s love interest.
He got his first big break after starring in the 1942 Broadway hit Janie, after which he was signed to a contract with MGM in the Hollywood studio heyday. In addition to Meet Me In St. Louis, he appeared in such films as Mrs. Parkington, The Green Years, Warlock and The Singing Nun, playing Ed Sullivan's producer Mr. Fitzpatrick.
This all I knew. But what I didn’t know was that he also starred in a biographical movie loosely based on the creative partnership between composer Richard Rodgers and his longtime lyricist partner (before Hammerstein), Lorenz Hart. My great-great-uncle played none other than Richard Rodgers in the 1948 film Words and Music. Cool!
I decided to do a little bit of research.
Although the film's story line has been criticized for being rather weak and apparently inaccurate (it seems to be more of a musical review than a plotted film), many consider it to be an enjoyable tribute to the wonderful music of Rodgers and Hart. Most of MGM's major stars were on hand to pay tribute. In addition to Tom Drake, it starred Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Janet Leigh, Betty Garrett and Ann Sothern, along many others.
Highlights included Judy and Mickey’s rendition of "I Wish I Were in Love Again," Judy's "Johnny One Note," Perry Como and Allyn McLerie in "Mountain Greenery," and Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen's interpretive ballet, "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue."
It is also remembered for being the final screen pairing between Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. They were in a total of ten movies together throughout their careers, eight of which were made specifically for them. MGM had not originally planned on having Judy in Words and Music, but L.B. Mayer (one of the Ms in “MGM”) offered her $50,000 to help with her medical bills if she would guest star for one number. Although she was on the verge of collapse, her performance was so well received that Mayer offered her another $50,000 to film an encore number.
So that’s my little connection to Richard Rodgers and our production of Oklahoma!. Have you seen the film? What’s your favorite Richard Rodgers song? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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