MY SISTER EILEEN (1953) QUIZ: What was the name of the book which was used in writing the play and two movies? MY SISTER EILEEN. Extra credit: Who wrote the book? RUTH MCKENNEY. What is the title of the play that opened on Broadway in 1940 which was based on the book? MY SISTER EILEEN . Extra credit: Who played the main character? SHIRLEY BOOTH. What is Ruth and Eileen’s McKenny's stage last name? SHERWOOD. From what state did the two sisters come from and where did they move? FROM COLUMBUS, OHIO TO NEW YORK CITY. What were their professions? WRITER & ACTRESS.

In 1953, Rosalind Russell starred on Broadway in WONDERFUL TOWN - an musical remake of MY SISTER EILEEN, with the musical score written by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Why didn’t Columbia Pictures make a movie of WONDERFUL TOWN? In the late 40s, MGM filmed a earlier Bernstein/Comden and Green Broadway musical, ON THE TOWN, but only four of the Broadway songs made it to the screen version including “NEW YORK, NEW YORK - A WONDERFUL TOWN”. The other eight songs were composed by Roger Edens, a MGM studio composer. Since Columbia Pictures owned the film rights to EILEEN, some researchers believe WONDERUL TOWN was never filmed since Columbia Pictures head, Harry Cohen didn’t want to pay the high price Bernstein wanted for the WONDERFUL TOWN score.

The 1955 Columbia Pictures musical remake is consider a sleeper of a musical with music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Leo Robin. Styne’s other musical works includes: FUNNY GIRL, GYPSY, PETER PAN, and BELLS ARE RINGING just to name a few. The lyricist Leon Robin retired after writing EILEEN; Robin’s earlier works includes collaboration with such composers as: Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, and Sigmund Romberg. Robin also wrote the lyrics to Bob Hope’s signature song “Thanks for the Memories”. Years prior to EILEEN, Jule Styne and Leo Robins wrote the songs for GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. Viewing the two movie versions, there are a couple of changes I would point out: unlike the earlier comedy film, in the musical the story starts and stays in New York. From the 1942 version to the 1955 version the rent for the basement effiency apartment has gone up $20, from $45 to $65 a month - such is inflation. In tonight’s version the sisters go on a double date which does not occur in the earlier version, but what a great premise for a snappy musical number set in a bandstand. During the final scene instead of having the Three Stooges drill through the apartment floor, - the I won’t tell you!

What performers will you recognize or have a possible memory of? Eileen is played by the beautiful late Ms. Janet Leigh and she can hold her own in the singing and dancing department in my opinion. Betty Garrett plays the main character Ruth - you might remember her as the taxicab driver who had the hots for the Frank Sinatra character in ON THE TOWN. In the dancing department, Robert, or as we know him as Bob Fosse is credited as the choreographer but Bob also acts, dances and sings in this musical remake. The obvious Jack Lemmon will be recognized, and maybe you’ll remember Dick York from the TV sitcom BEWITCHED playing the football player upstairs neighbor. On the opening credits you might recognize the two screenwriters: BLAKE EDWARDS - before he wrote the Peter Gunn TV series and the PINK PANTHERS film series; and the second screenwriter and the film’s director, Richard Quine who played the young man who adored Eileen in both the 1940 Broadway comedy and the earlier filmed comedy.

Prior to MY SISTER EILEEN: I can’t pass up another opportunity of showing another Three Stooges short as a candidate for the National Film Registry. WOMAN HATERS made in1934 was the Stooges first short made for Columbia Pictures. This is a musical believe it or not, with the majority of it sounding like a very early forerunner to today’s rap music minus the bumping and stomping. The co-star was Marjorie White but be sure to notice the well known character actor Walter Brennan playing a train conductor. Remember him playing the role of Grandpa Amos in the TV sitcom THE REAL MCCOYS? I do and will admit it even though I am a Hatfield! Hope you enjoy tonight’s screening.

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