Lyricist George M. Cohan | Book George M. Cohan Playwright George M. Cohan Composer George M. Cohan | |
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Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway is a three-act musical by George M. Cohan written about New Rochelle, New York. The play's title refers to the 45-minute train ride from New Rochelle to Broadway.
Contents
- George m cohan s forty five minutes from broadway 1906 victor record columbia ah
- Forty five Minutes from Broadway
- Mary Is a Grand Old Name
- So Long Mary
- References
The play debuted on January 1, 1906 at the New Amsterdam Theatre and ran for 90 performances before closing on March 17. The role of Mary Jane Jenkins was created by Fay Templeton and Kid Burns was played by Victor Moore. The musical re-opened later the same year, on November 5, at the New York Theatre with the cast almost entirely intact. It played there for an additional 32 performances before closing on December 1. Its only other Broadway revival occurred from March 14 to April 13, 1912 at the George M. Cohan Theatre, where it ran for 36 performances with a different cast.
The play is remembered for several songs, such as its title song, "Forty-five Minutes from Broadway", originally sung by Moore, and for tunes about its leading lady character, "Mary Is a Grand Old Name" and "So Long Mary", both sung in the debut production by Templeton, which were presented in recreations of the original stage play within the 1942 film Yankee Doodle Dandy.
George m cohan s forty five minutes from broadway 1906 victor record columbia ah
Forty-five Minutes from Broadway
Only forty-five minutes from BroadwayThink of the changes it bringsFor the short time it takesWhat a diff'rence it makesIn the ways of the people and thingsOh, what a fine bunch of reubensOh, what a jay atmosphereThey have whiskers like hayAnd imagine BroadwayOnly forty-five minutes from hereMary Is a Grand Old Name
For it is Mary; MaryPlain as any name can beBut with propriety, societyWill say, "Marie"But it was Mary; MaryLong before the fashions cameAnd there is something thereThat sounds so squareIt's a grand old nameSo Long Mary
Mary: It's awfully nice of all you boys to see me to the trainChorus: So long, MaryMary: I didn't think you'd care if you should ne'er see me againChorus: You're wrong, MaryMary: This reminds me of my family / On the day I left SchenectadyChorus: So long, Mary / Don't forget to come back homeAs staged in the film Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), starring James Cagney, this sentimental song is lightened by a scene in which her luggage springs open. Her male admirers politely gather her bloomers and petticoats, and repack for the blushing Mary, while they continue singing.