''I'd Rather Be Right'' is a 1937

musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the Character (arts), charac ...

with a

book A book is a structured presentation of recorded information, primarily verbal and graphical, through a medium. Originally physical, electronic books and audiobooks are now existent. Physical books are objects that contain printed material, ...

by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, lyrics by

Lorenz Hart Lorenz Milton Hart (May 2, 1895 – November 22, 1943) was an American lyricist and half of the Broadway songwriting team Rodgers and Hart. Some of his more famous lyrics include "Blue Moon"; " The Lady Is a Tramp"; "Manhattan"; " Bewitched, Bo ...

, and music by

Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway theatre, Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers wa ...

. The story is a Depression-era political satire set in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

about Washington politics and political figures such as President

Franklin D. Roosevelt Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882April 12, 1945), also known as FDR, was the 32nd president of the United States, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. He is the longest-serving U.S. president, and the only one to have served ...

. The plot centers on Peggy Jones ( Joy Hodges) and her boyfriend Phil (Austin Marshall), who needs a raise in order for them to get married. The President steps in and solves their dilemma.

Production

''I'd Rather Be Right'' premiered on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on November 2, 1937, produced by Sam H. Harris.Atkinson, Brooks.
George M. Cohan as the United States President in 'I'd Rather Be Right
", ''The New York Times''. November 3, 1937. 28. It transferred to the

Music Box Theatre The Music Box Theatre is a Broadway theatre, Broadway theater at 239 West 45th Street (George Abbott Way) in the Theater District, Manhattan, Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S. Opened in 1921, the Music Box ...

, and ran for 290 performances. It starred George M. Cohan as

. In such pieces as "Off the Record", Cohan, as FDR, danced—not possible in real life for the President.

Reception

H. G. Wells Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 – 13 August 1946) was an English writer, prolific in many genres. He wrote more than fifty novels and dozens of short stories. His non-fiction output included works of social commentary, politics, hist ...

wrote enthusiastically about the musical, and Cohan's performance as Roosevelt, in an article "The Fall in America 1937", published in ''

Collier's } ''Collier's'' was an American general interest magazine founded in 1888 by Peter F. Collier, Peter Fenelon Collier. It was launched as ''Collier's Once a Week'', then renamed in 1895 as ''Collier's Weekly: An Illustrated Journal'', shortened i ...

'' on January 28, 1938, and reprinted in his '' World Brain'' (1938).

Cultural references

The musical is prominently featured in the 1942 Cohan biopic ''

Yankee Doodle Dandy ''Yankee Doodle Dandy'' is a 1942 American biographical musical drama film about George M. Cohan, known as "The Man Who Owned Broadway". It stars James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston, and Richard Whorf, and features Irene Manning, Geo ...

'', in which it serves as a narrative bookend.

James Cagney James Francis Cagney Jr. (; July 17, 1899March 30, 1986) was an American actor and dancer. On stage and in film, he was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He won acclaim and maj ...

, playing Cohan, after meeting FDR in the Oval Office, performs a joyous tap dance as he walks back down the stairs of the White House. In the film, we also see Cagney as Cohan performing "Off the Record" during the show's run. Because the film was made during World War II, the film also anachronistically added some morale-boosting lyrics at the end of the song.

Musical numbers

Act I

*"A Homogeneous Cabinet"—Cabinet Members * " Have You Met Miss Jones?"—Peggy Jones and Phil Barker * "Take and Take and Take"—The Judge's Girl and Ensemble * "Spring in Vienna"—Tony * "A Little Bit of Constitutional Fun"—The Judge's Girl and Ensemble * "Sweet Sixty-Five"—Peggy Jones and Phil Barker * "We're Going to Balance the Budget"—The President of the United States and Company

Act II

* "American Couple"—Ensemble * "Labor Is the Thing"—James B. Maxwell and Ensemble * "I'd Rather Be Right"—Peggy Jones, Phil Barker, The Judge's Girl, The President of the United States and Ensemble * "Off the Record"—The President of the United States * "A Baby Bond"—The Secretary of the Treasury

References

External links

*
"The President on Broadway: FDR, George M. Cohan, and ''I’d Rather Be Right''"
(March 8, 2016) by William A. Harris, FDR Library Deputy Director — ''Forward with Roosevelt'', the blog of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
''Time'' Magazine review, November 15, 1937Essay on ''I'd Rather be Right'' in ''Studies in Musical Theatre'', January 2007''I'd Rather Be Right''
Libretto {{Authority control 1937 musicals Broadway musicals Musicals by Rodgers and Hart Cultural depictions of Franklin D. Roosevelt Musicals set in New York City