From: burt@cbnewsb.cb.att.com (burton.d.fried)
Subject: Re: How To Succeed in Business...
Organization: AT&T
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 19:27:28 GMT

In article <1993Jan7.190352.3354@cbfsb.cb.att.com>, myrab@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (myra.bronstein) writes:
> In article <1993Jan7.103406.13054@athena.mit.edu>, devo@athena.mit.edu (Robert Devivo) writes:
> > In article <JBA.93Jan5221719@kix.ai.mit.edu> jba@ai.mit.edu (Jonathan Amsterdam) writes:
> > >Last night I saw the wonderful film version of Frank Loesser's _How to
> > >Succeed in Business without Really Trying_.  It's well-paced and funny,
> > >and Robert Morse is absolutely delightful. 
> >
> > There's something about this show you've just got to love, even though
> > it's a bit dated now and extremely -- make that EXTREMELY -- sexist.
> > ...
> >
> > >1. It seemed to be a little scant on music.  How many songs were cut from
> > >   the original show?
> > 
> > I believe there were 5 songs cut, although you can here traces of a
> > few of them in the background scoring.  They are:
> > 	
> > 	Happy To Keep his Dinner Warm  [did I mention the show was sexist?]
> > 	Coffee Break  [more great Bob Fosse choreography]
> > 	Paris Original
> > 	Don't Turn Down the Prince
> > 	The Love From a Heart of Gold  [the big Rudy Vallee ballad]
> 
> "Don't Turn Down the Prince" is called "Cinderella Darling" on
> the cast album.
> 
> > I don't rank any of these songs among Mr. Loesser's best work, but
> > since I rank Frank Loesser as a god, they'd be a shame to miss.  I
> > think the Broadway soundtrack is available on CD if you're interested
> > (also worthwhile for the amazing singing voice of Bonnie Scott as Rosemary).
> 
> I just bought the cast album, which I HIGHLY recommend,
> and my first impulse was also that the *lost* songs 
> weren't among the best, but after a few more
> listenings, I changed my mind.  I've warmed up (:-)) to 
> "Happy To Keep his Dinner Warm"--I mean I couldn't resist lyrics like
> "Oh to be loved by a man I respect.  To bask in the glow of 
> his perfectly understandable neglect."  I also fell in love with
> "Paris Original."  Can't stop singing either of them.
> 
> I'll admit that Bonnie Scott is a big part of the reason I 
> liked those songs so well.  I was very smitten with her voice 
> too.  In fact a few days ago I posted a query on r.a.t. to try
> and find out what else she's done.  Never heard anything.  Sniff.
> And, it's true that the full play score is even more
> dated than the movie score, though both play and movie are
> so wonderful I don't care how un-pc they are.
> 
> Loesser *is* a God BTW.
> A few weeks ago David Fristrom posted a recommendation for
> an album called "An Evening with Frank Loesser," so I bought 
> it and now I recommend it too.  It's a real treat.
>  
> > >2. I know from what has been written about _Tru_ that Robert Morse did not
> > >   appear on Broadway between _How to Succeed_ and _Tru_.  What *was* he
> > >   doing?  Something theatrical, I hope--he has a great talent.
> > 
> > From what I understand he spent most of those years battling, and
> > finally overcoming, a serious drinking problem.  He appeared in
> > several movies, such as "The Loved One", but not much else.  A great
> > shame.  I hope he continues to work now that his health has improved.
> 
> He's one of my favorites too.  As talented as anyone I've ever seen.
> According to my video guide glossery (which is a good one but not
> definitive), here are his movies:
> 
> -The Boatniks, 1970
> -Common Movie Tales: The Emperor's New Clothes, 1989
> -A Guide for the Married Man, 1967
> -How to..., 1967
> -Jack Frost, 1979
> -The Loved One, 1965
> -The Matchmaker, 1958
> -Oh Dad, Poor Dad (Mom's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling
>  So Sad (:-,), 1967
> -That's Singing, 1964
> 
> I also think he had a short-lived TV show, can't recall the name,
> after the success of the movie version of How to...
> 
> Myra


In addition, I would recommend the following Original Cast Albums for anyone
wishing to get a better appreciation for Morse's talents:

    1) Take Me Along
    2) So Long 174th Street


Burt

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