The Cast |
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying |
From Stage to Screen |
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The Crew |
The Store |
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The Songs |
The Links |
The Cast |
Robert
Morse .... J. Pierpont Finch |
The Crew |
Directed
by |
The Songs |
Overture |
Whilst on his way to work as a window washer, J. Pierpont "Ponty" Finch discovers a book at the newspaper stand called "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying". He purchases the book and aims to begin his climb to the top. |
How to |
Complete with a suit and
book in hand, Ponty stumbles in to World Wide Wicket, a large corporation and applies for
a job. He bumps into JB Bigley, president of the company, who recommends Ponty visit the
personnel department. On the way, he meets Rosemary, a young secretary, who takes a shining to Ponty. Together with her two friends, Smitty and Lucille, they introduce Ponty to Mr Bratt who gives him a job in the mailroom. |
Coffee Break |
This instrumental shows a
group of secretaries starting work for the morning, complete with nail filing and hair
styling. As the song finishes, we hear a man yell "Coffee break!". |
The |
In the mailroom, Ponty meets Mr Twimble who explains that he has been stuck in the same position for many years. Ponty, however, has read his book and finds a way to convince Mr Bratt to upgrade his position to clerk. |
Secretary |
Hedy LaRue , a love interest of Mr Bigley, arrives at World Wide Wicket in the hope of becoming a secretary. Catching the eye of all male employees, she is shown to Mr Bratt's office. |
Been a |
The end of the week. Smitty, Rosemary and Ponty are waiting for the elevator. This charming number is catchy! Smitty stands centre with Rosemary and Ponty on either side. Filmed as two different monologues, Ponty and Rosemary sing to themselves about getting together to an onlooking Smitty. She suggests dinner that night and Ponty agrees. |
I Believe |
After dinner, Ponty walks Rosemary home, only to become lost in his thoughts. By following the book, he knows that after two days he should be higher in the company. Rosemary explains that he has already accomplished a great deal but he still wishes to pursue his career further and faster. |
Grand |
With another brainwave
idea, Ponty arrives at the empty office early Sunday morning, knowing that Mr Bigley would
arrive searching for his golfing equipment. Convinced that Ponty had been there all
weekend, Bigley decides to complain to Mr Bratt to get him promoted. "Grand Old Ivy" works more as a football chant as Bigley sings the theme song from his favourite team. Ponty, in the usual tradition, convinces him that he once played in the team. |
Rosemary |
Promoted, Ponty realises that his book is failing unsuccessful with his new boss, Mr Overington. After speaking with Rosemary who describes him as the "company mystery man", Ponty plans to disguise himself as a window washer and listen in on Mr Overington's phone conversations. He discovers that Mr Overington is a supporter of the Chipmunks, the opposing football team to Mr Bigley. Seeing this as a perfect opportunity, Ponty tells Bigley who fires Mr Overington and promotes Ponty to vice-president in charge of advertising. |
Gotta Stop I
Believe |
In his new position, Ponty
must hold a board room meeting with ideas for promoting World Wide Wicket. Bud Frump, Bigley's evil nephew, hands Ponty a plan regarding a treasure hunt which had been passed off by Bigley in previous years. Unknowing of this trick, Ponty uses the ideas to present at the meeting. Prior to the meeting, Ponty becomes suspicious of the other men, but remembers Rosemary's words about believing in himself. |
Brotherhood of Man |
The Company Way |
A reprise |
As in the
tradition of Cabaret, this film suffers from too much dialogue and too little musical
score. But at the same time, the plot is so uniquely structured that it becomes and
entwined musical/drama masterpiece. Cleverly created and visually colourful, this spoof of
the business world provides enough entertainment to maintain your attention for two full
hours. The transition from stage to screen saw many numbers scraped but the best ones
remain. Reprises their stage roles are Robert Morse, Michelle Lee and Rudy Valee as Ponty,
Rosemary and Mr Bigley. A standout (and my personal favourite) is Smitty. ?? shines in the
role and her "Been A Long Day" can be easily labelled the best song in the film.
May critics have noted weaknesses in the film are the choreography and costumes. However,
one must not complain - could you imagine a secretary dancing the "Time
Warp" in her office or a male clerk wearing a safari suit?
Kristian |
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