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| re: How does George M compare to the film Yankee Doodle Dandy? | |
| Posted by: NewtonUK 12:28 pm EST 02/12/18 | |
| In reply to: re: How does George M compare to the film Yankee Doodle Dandy? - TheOtherOne 11:57 am EST 02/12/18 | |
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| Film biographies almost always play fast and loose with facts - as do all films based on fact (and most plays for that matter). I was always like to point out the major inaccuracy in the film (and play) of FINDING NEVERLAND. While the film and play tell us that BArrie is depressed after the reception of his latest play, LITTLE MARY (1903), The History of the London Stage (1576-1903) calles LITTLE MARY a great success - an enormous success. Following on his two previous big hits, QUALITY STREET and THE ADMIRABLE CRICHTON. And Frohman produced 53 shows on Broadway alone in the 1903-1904 season, including Barrie's LITTLE MARY. If it had flopped in London, Frohman would not likely have reproduced the show in NYC. Yet FINDING NEVERLAND revolves around Barrie's despair at his failure. The core of what was to become PETER PAN IN KENSINGTON GARDENS appeared in Barries 1902 novel THE LITTLE WHITE BIRD. So Peter Pan existed before Barrie thought to write the play. As a PS - we know that Frohman's protege Maude Adams created the role of the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up on Broadway. In London, the very first Peter Pan onstage was Nina Boucicault, daughter of the great British playwright, Dion Boucicault (the London Assurance). But we accept the fabrications because they make a more entertaining narrative |
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| re: A GEORGE M 'fabrication' | |
| Posted by: NewtonUK 01:56 pm EST 02/12/18 | |
| In reply to: re: How does George M compare to the film Yankee Doodle Dandy? - NewtonUK 12:28 pm EST 02/12/18 | |
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| for good dramatic reasons. In the GEORGE M Cohan's first Broadway show, THE GOVERNORS SON is a flop - as it was, running only 32 performances. In GEORGE M this is followed by his first hit, LITTLE JOHNNY JONES. But thats not quite how it happened. A month after GOVERNORS SON died, he opened another new show, starring his family (the 4 Cohans) called RUNNING FOR OFFICE. This musical ran for 48 performances. 6 months later he contributed a song to a big holiday show at the New Amsterdam - MOTHER GOOSE. It was one of his signature songs, "Always leave them laughing when you say goodbye!" Six months after that he contributed two songs to a successful show called A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING. One of them was "I love to hear a Yankee Doodle Tune". Then 6 months after THAT, LITTLE JOHNNY JONES opened at the Liberty Theatre, and ran 52 performances before going out on tour. It came back the next year for an 128 performance 'revival'. The show had been revised for the tour. It included the two hits you recall, YANKEE DOODLE BOY and GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY - and also one of his best lesser known songs, LIFE'S A FUNNY PROPOSITION AFTER ALL. | |
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