First musical adapted from a movie? — Page 2

Smaxie mentioned HAZEL FLAGG. [See final note below.]

HAZEL FLAGG may well be the first Broadway musical to have as its source material an original screenplay. The 1937 film, "Nothing Sacred," starred Carole Lombard and Frederic March with an original screenplay by Ben Hecht. Hecht adapted his film for Broadway and added were music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Billiard. Most recognized song from HAZEL FLAGG? "Every Street's A Boulevard In Old New York."

One more tidbit. HAZEL FLAGG was subsequently filmed as a musical comedy for Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. "Hazel" became "Homer Flagg" (Jerry Lewis) and the script was altered to suit the talents of the comedy duo. The only member of the original Broadway cast who was retained for the film was Sheree North. Ms. North created a sensational bump and grind number on the tage of the Mark Hellinger theatre. In the film this was changed to a Jitterbug, billed as "the first rock and roll dance on the screen." Dean and Jerry sing "Every Street's A Boulevard..."

A little conjecture...the boxer Max "Slapsie Maxie" Rosenbloom trained Carole Lombard for her boxing bout in "Nothing Sacred."
Might "Slapsie Maxie" be the genius behind the name "Smaxie"?

Hi Jon.

I believe I said that SADIE THOMPSON was one of the early musicals that was preceeded by a film version of the same original source ("Rain"). In actuality it was preceeded by two film versions. The 1932 "Rain" starring Joan Crawford and and earlier silent version released in 1928. This silent version starred Gloria Swanson and is titled "Sadie Thompson." Both of these were derived from Maugham's orginal story. And yes indeed the first non-singing stage version of this story played on Broadway in 1922. SADIE THOMPSON might be the first Broadway musical adapted from original material that was previously adapted for the screen.

HAZEL FLAGG, is, so far as I've been able to research, the first Broadway musical that was dapated from an original screenplay.

I mentioned earlier that THE LITTLE FOXES was the original source for REGINA. It happens that the film version preceeded Blitzstein's musical.

One added fact...Tomwing and AWLruls both mentioned CAROUSEL. Another early musical which was an adaptation of original material that had been previously adapted for film. Frederic Molnar's play LILIOM was first staged on Broadway in 1921, starring Eva LaGalliene (Julie) and Joseph Schildkraut (Liliom). CAROUSEL followed SADIE THOMPSON on Broadway by about six months. The title "Carousel" originated with the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical.

Born in Austria-Hungary, Schildkraut was a second generation actor who had an extensive body of work on both the stage and film. Most notable stage-to-film role for us might be "Otto Frank" in "The Diary of Anne Frank." Interesting note is that Mr. Schildkraut was the first film Gaylord Ravenal, in the first, and silent, film version of Edna Ferber's "Show Boat" (1929).

I'm putting my money on HAZEL FLAGG (2-11-1953) as the first Broadway musical based on an orignial screenplay.

"Hello, Hazel! Hello, Hazel! Ya beautiful radium gaaaaaal...."

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Updated On: 3/25/06 at 03:27 PM