''Flying Colors'' is a musical

revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own dur ...

with a book, lyrics, and music by

Arthur Schwartz Arthur Schwartz (November 25, 1900 – September 3, 1984) was an American composer and film producer, widely noted for his songwriting collaborations with Howard Dietz. Biography Early life Schwartz was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on Nov ...

and

Howard Dietz Howard Dietz (September 8, 1896 – July 30, 1983) was an American publicist, lyricist, and librettist, best remembered for his songwriting collaboration with Arthur Schwartz. Biography Dietz was born in New York City. He attended Columbia Colle ...

and sketch contributions by George S. Kaufman,

Corey Ford Corey Ford (April 29, 1902 – July 27, 1969) was an American humorist, writer, outdoorsman, and screenwriter. He was friendly with several members of the Algonquin Round Table in New York City and occasionally lunched there. Early years Ford was ...

, and Charles Sherman. The

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

production opened on September 15, 1932 at the

Imperial Theatre The Imperial Theatre is a Broadway theater at 249 West 45th Street ( George Abbott Way) in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1923, the Imperial Theatre was designed by Herbert J. Krapp and was constructed ...

, closing on January 25, 1933, after 188 performances. Directed by Dietz and choreographed by Albertina Rasch, the cast included

Clifton Webb Webb Parmelee Hollenbeck (November 19, 1889 – October 13, 1966), known professionally as Clifton Webb, was an American actor, singer, and dancer. He worked extensively and was known for his stage appearances in the plays of Noël Coward, i ...

Patsy Kelly Patsy Kelly (born Sarah Veronica Rose Kelly; January 12, 1910 – September 24, 1981) was an American actress. She is known for her role as the brash, wisecracking sidekick to Thelma Todd in a series of short comedy films produced by Hal R ...

Imogene Coca Imogene Coca (born Emogeane Coca; November 18, 1908 – June 2, 2001) was an American comic actress best known for her role opposite Sid Caesar on ''Your Show of Shows''. Starting out in vaudeville as a child acrobat, she studied ballet and wishe ...

Larry Adler Lawrence Cecil Adler (February 10, 1914 – August 6, 2001) was an American harmonica player. Known for playing major works, he played compositions by George Gershwin, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Malcolm Arnold, Darius Milhaud and Arthur Benjamin. ...

, Charles Butterworth,

Tamara Geva Tamara Geva (russian: Тамара Жева, born Tamara Levkievna Zheverzheeva, russian: Тамара Левкиевна Жевержеева; 17 March 1906 – 9 December 1997) was a Soviet and later an American actress, ballet dancer, and c ...

, Buddy and Vilma Ebsen, and Billie Yarbo.

Songs

;Act 1 *"Lost in a Crowd" (written in collaboration with Charles Sherman) *"Sister Act" *"Service" *"Fatal Fascination" *"All's Well" *"Two-Faced Woman" *" Alone Together" - Clifton Webb and Tamara Geva *"Louisiana Hayride" - Monette Moore, Clifton Webb and Tamara Geva ;Act 2 *"On the American Plan" (written in collaboration with George S. Kaufman) *"A Rainy Day" *"My Heart Is Part of You" *"Butlers" - Billie Yarbo *"Day After Day" *"A Shine on Your Shoes" - Vilma and Buddy Ebsen, Monette Moore, Larry Adler *"It Was Never Like This" *"Mother Told Me So" *"A Christmas Card" *"Now That the Party Is Over" *"Just Around the Corner" *"Smokin' Reefers"

Special effects

For the first act finale, "Louisiana Hayride", the designer

Norman Bel Geddes Norman Bel Geddes (born Norman Melancton Geddes; April 27, 1893 – May 8, 1958) was an American theatrical and industrial designer. Early life Bel Geddes was born Norman Melancton Geddes in Adrian, Michigan and was raised in New Philadelp ...

used a movie film to give "focal depth to a fluid and enrapturing vista."Atkinson, Brooks. "Flying the Band Wagon Colors", ''The New York Times'', October 9, 1932, p. X1

References

External links

* {{Arthur Schwartz 1932 musicals Broadway musicals Revues Musicals by Arthur Schwartz