How to Suceed in Business without Really Trying film on DVD

Okay, is Robert Morse meant to be viewed from a distance? I can imagine him being charming when he's on the stage, but in the film he seems more than a little ridiculous in the film version of How to Suceed in Business without Really Trying. Maybe that's part of the point, but I find the mugging that Mr. Morse does much of the time to be very annoying. It doesn't seem to add anything to one's understanding of the character, except maybe that's he's in on the joke.

This may be my least favorite Frank Loesser show. The music doesn't ever really sing, for me. The concept is funny, and by poking fun a corporate America, I can see why this show has continued to have a life, but from a strickly musical standpoint, it's no Guys and Dolls. I do like two songs--"Company Man" and the final "Brotherhood of Man." Of course, lots of songs from the stage version are cut in the film version, so I need to get the cast album and compare.

Rudy Vallee repises his role of JB Biggley from the stage version. The role of Biggley's nephew was played on stage by Charles Nelson Reilly, here it is played by Anthony Teague. Michele Lee is very likable as Rosemary, although her story-line (apart from ending up with the guy at the end) isn't developed very much. Ruth Kobart also is from the stage version where she was Miss Jones, Biggley's secretary. Ms. Kobart adds a lot vocally as the one women in "The Brotherhood of Man". It's a great full-throated soprano descant over the men's chorus.

Ooh, I just looked up the cast of the 1995 revival that Matthew Broderick starred in. Megan Mullally was Rosemary, Lilias White was Ms. Jones, and Jeff Blumenkrantz (with whom I did summer stock in 1984) was Biggley's nephew. I'll look for that cast album.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, Willie Gilbert

Produced on Broadway in 1961, film released in 1967
Cast: Robert Morse, Michele Lee, Rudy Vallee, Ruth Kobart, Arthur Teague