This was a huge post-war hit on Broadway. President Kennedy was particularly fond of its 'hit' 'How Are Things in Glocca Morra?' He apparently played it over and over after being told that his sister had been killed in a plane crash.
I must admit, it brings tears to my eyes - and I'm the most cynical bastard on the block!
There are lots of other great tunes it, though, from the incomparable team of 'Yip' Harburg and Burton Lane (the team that brought you 'Over The Rainbow') - very witty lyrics, with a none-too-subtle left-wing message attached (the book is a rather sentimental attack on racism).
It never caught on as much outside America - in England, we're probably less inclined to think of the Irish with misty-eyed affection.
The film version, with Fred Astaire and Petula Clarke (and a horrendous performance from the utterly resistible Tommy Steele) was made twenty years too late and with the wrong choice of director.
Those who like their musicals with plenty of schmaltz and silliness should check it out...
'Always I can't refuse 'em
Always my feet pursues 'em
'Long as they've got a boo-som
I woos 'em!'
